Cost of living crisis in Braintree: ‘We are doing okay but a lot of people will be struggling’
Many people in one of the poorest areas of the district are managing financially - but are worried about the future.
Last updated 24th Aug 2022
Many people living in Braintree’s ‘poorest streets’ currently calm about their household budgets have not yet fully understood the scale of the economic storm about to hit, the local council leader has said.
The area of Braintree with the highest levels of poverty is Halstead South West where poverty associated with food, child and fuel are chronicled as “very high”.
But indicative sampling suggested many people were not yet feeling the tightening economy environment – albeit increased energy costs will not be coming out of bank accounts until October.
And although this part of Braintree was seen as most in need of help within that district, people also believed that other parts of Essex and the wider country were significantly more deprived.
Most people asked by the LDRS about their future household budgets in White Horse Avenue – a well kept, clean, smart street where many of the properties are council owned and readily recognisable from the new roofs that have been installed – said currently their personal finances were sustainable.
‘We are doing okay but a lot of people will be struggling’
Among the residents of White Horse Avenue is David Butts who works from home where he lives with his wife and daughter. He has opted to change his meter to a prepaid meter to ensure he is fully in control of his bills.
He said: “We are doing okay but a lot of people will be struggling I think. This area may be worse off on paper but if you speak to people who live here they will say they are doing okay.”
Dorothy Hart, 81, said: “I’m alright at the moment- but everyone is the same, we don’t know what is coming and who is the next prime minister is.”
Another resident who did not want to be named said her family was coping currently but was concerned about imminent increases in outgoings.
She said: “We are waiting to see how the fuel bill increases are going to impact us. Its worrying.”
Another added: “We are doing okay. Look, we’ve got new cars.”
However Clive Wiffen, 64, said he was worried the increase in costs would mean compensation awarded after an industrial accident would be used up faster.
He said: “I’m struggling. I haven’t worked for five years after an accident at work and I don’t get any help because of the compensation I have left.”
White Horse Avenue was rated the most in need of support in Braintree District Council’s Fuel, Child and Food Poverty Report as the country’s cost of living crisis worsens with energy bills predicted to increase to more than £4,200.
But the indices of deprivation 2019 mapped out by the Government reveals areas which are significantly more deprived.
Halstead South West is rated 6,189 of 32,855 areas where one is the most deprived area. That lowest rating belongs to Jaywick Sands in Tendring.
But other areas significantly more deprived than Halstead South West include St Osyth, also in Tendring, which is rated 1,253 and Harwich and Kingsway rated 2,050.
In Colchester, Greenstead is rated 1,927. In Basildon, Pitsea South East is rated 2,927, Pitsea North West is rated 2,428 and Lee Chapel North is rated 1,353.
In Southend, Kursaal is rated 136 while in Castle Point Canvey Island South is rated 1,311. Marconi in Chelmsford is rated 4,058.
‘People will start to realise when it gets colder and lights have to go on’
Braintree District Council said the situation will worsen and it is working with partner agency to mitigate the challenges people are facing.
But despite the optimism voiced by many people, Braintree District Council leader said he worried about the impact cost of living will have.
He said: “I am not surprised about the findings in Halstead but I don’t think it has yet hit people what is actually coming.
“In a week the fuel cap increases again and of course at the moment it’s warm weather and people are not using much electricity.
“At the moment I think people are thinking ‘we are not too bad and we don’t notice’.
“My concern is that I don’t think people at the moment understand. It is not until you get that bill that you do. I have increased my direct debit. But I can do that and lots of people cannot.
“Once it gets colder and the lights have to go on, that is when people are going to realise.”
He added that he believed tax cuts espoused by Liz Truss are not the correct way to help people in the poorest areas.
He said: “I don’t think that I should be helped with tax cuts.
“That is why I am much more in favour of targeted help to those that are poorest.
“I don’t know the personal circumstances of each person but my feeling is that it would affect far fewer people in Halstead South West than people living in Great Notley.
“That is the difference.
“It is alright doing tax cuts for those that pay tax. If you are a pensioner with no other income you are not going to be paying very much tax if any at all.”