Energy price cap rises: We speak to a community organisation in Scunthorpe about rising costs

The Westcliff centre helps with free or low cost food and activities

Author: Andy MarshPublished 26th Aug 2022

Today it's been confirmed the energy price cap will rise by a huge amount.

The energy regulator, Ofgem says the typical household will pay 3-thousand 549 pounds a year from October.

For those on pre-payment meters their average annual bill is set to go up to 3-thousand 608.

Charities and suppliers have described the situation as disastrous - adding the scale of the issue is "truly catastrophic".

We've been speaking to the Westcliff community organisation in Scunthorpe about the rising cost of living.

Food inflation is threatening their free and cheap hot meals service as well as energy costs.

Adele Rouse from the centre spoke to us:

"We've tried to predict the increase in costs but they have gone above that."

"We're balancing right now so where that leads in the future, it depends on how high these prices go."

Linsey from the centre told us:

"Recently somebody has come in asking about a food voucher".

"He hadn't eaten all weekend and that's just one of many people, including people with diabetes".

"They're going days without eating."

"It's terrible they can't access unpaid for activities for a bit of pleasure in their lives."

"They're now not going to be able to afford the basics and that's just terrible for anybody to have to live like that."