"We're keeping our heads above water": Truro family feels impact of energy price hike
Lemi and her family are seeing energy bills increase by £200 - £300 each month
As the energy price cap rises families across Cornwall are beginning to battle with the cost of living during #TheBigSqueeze.
Lemi is a Mum who has a house in Truro with her husband and six sons. She told us their family is already feeling the pinch and are looking at bill increases of £200 - £300 per month.
She said "I'm really worried, I think at the moment we're just seeing the start of it".
"We're seeing the very beginning at the moment but I don't know how we're going to afford that. We're keeping our heads above water now but I think it'll be really really difficult".
"We're looking at bills going up, our gas and electric. We're looking at probably water rates, our rent is going up and council tax and we're waiting to see what else is going to be hitting us hard".
From today (Friday 1st April), the energy price cap is rising which means a typical energy bill will go up by £700 this year and everyday families will see themselves spending 54% more than on Thursday.
Her family hasn't had to rely too much on support usually, but the cost of living has meant she's trying to work overtime when she can:
"I've got a big family who are all living in and around Truro. I've got six boys at home and my husband. We both work in Truro, I work in a supermarket and my husband works in a home hardware store.
"It seems like there's been no advice on how to cope with it all. I'm working overtime to deal with the impact of it all".
The family in Truro, like many others across the Duchy, is seeing a rise in costs across the board with food, fuel and other expenses.
Lemi continued: "We've always budgeted, we've always held back, we've always saved, but at the moment the prices that are going up are so ridiculously high it's a bit of a shock to be fair.
"We're looking at we're not going to be making any savings on anything. I can't see any leverage on income to spend on anything other than food, fuel and energy bills.
"I reckon it's gone up a good £50 on my weekly shop which is an awful lot of money.
"Diesel prices are massive at the moment. We're only taking short journeys but that'll change when we go for longer trips. I'm looking into perhaps using a bike a bit more for work, but that's difficult with taking the kids to school and not all of them cycle.
"We're doing as much as we can, I did have a second job but the shop closed down. That's another worry. With costs rising and people spending less, what will happen to local businesses?"
There are some support schemes in place to help families pay for bills and reimburse their spending.
But Lemi's family in Truro are worried it might not be enough.
She told us: "Our schools are pretty good, they do a food supply there and we have dipped in and out of that now and again when things have got hard.
"I don't think there's been enough advice and I don't think there's enough help out there at the moment".
"I think as high as things are going to be it'll be nice to know what'll be pulled out of the bag to help families who are really really struggling".
You can read more about the Cost of Living and our #TheBigSqueeze series here.