Support needed to prevent a humanitarian emergency in Stoke-on-Trent

Experts in local and regional economic development are calling on the government to step in to prevent a humanitarian emergency happening in Stoke-on-Trent.

A report describes how austerity, in the form of cuts to health, welfare and social services, is increasing poverty and destitution in Stoke-on-Trent.

Lead researcher Professor David Etherington, Staffordshire University, said: “We are heading towards a humanitarian crisis. The cost-of-living for many people in Stoke-on-Trent was already high before 2022, due to poorly paid work and cuts to the welfare state, meaning many people struggled to meet their basic needs and pay their bills. What we are seeing is more people falling deeper into debt.”

Ofgem recently announced it is lowering its energy price cap - the amount suppliers are able to charge - from the current £4,279 per year to £3,280 for the average household, effective from April 1.

However, domestic energy bills are still set to rise by an average of £500 a year despite the reduction as the Government's support for households becomes more limited.

Fuel poverty a real concern

The number of households living in fuel poverty in England increased by an estimated 100,000 last year to 3.26 million, according to Government figures.

Citizens Advice has recently called for a ban on energy companies forcing struggling customers on to pre-payment meters, fearing it will leave many more families having to choose between heating or eating.

Fuel poverty - being on a low income and trapped in a home with poor insulation - is predicted to increase to 14.4% this year, affecting 3.53 million households

Soaring global energy prices, food, rental and transport costs are also forcing more families into hardship.

Low pay and benefits

The report highlights that they're set at an extremely low level, so that large sections of the population are reliant upon insufficient incomes to maintain a basic standard of living.

Experts have also suggested that health issues were also adding to Stoke-on-Trent's problems.

Major childcare costs

The report also claims underfunding of childcare, and government plans to impose benefit sanctions as part of the Way to Work initiative, are also having a negative effect on people and families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Simon Harris, CEO of Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent added: “Poor energy efficiency, low wages and high levels of benefit reliance make Stoke-on-Trent especially vulnerable to the cost-of-living crisis.

“The stories contained in the report are typical of thousands of people living in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond who are reaching crisis point. While short term financial support is available, this doesn’t address the underlying long-term issues that local people face.”

Calls for action from government

The report makes a number of new recommendations including:

• The need for an austerity impact assessment – how benefit and local government spending cuts impact particularly on women, disabled people and poorer communities.

• Investment in affordable and flexible childcare to enable parents to access work.

• An immediate cost of living supplement of £20 per week paid to every household receiving Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit in addition to the April uprating and the £900 payment

• Investment of funding in targeted benefit take up campaigns to help boost incomes, focusing on means-tested and disability benefits.

• Increased investment in renewable energy.

• Increased investment in improving the thermal efficiency of the local housing stock.

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