Demand for some Age UK Scarborough services is on the up
The charity says the costs of fuel, heating and food are leaving their clients with some stark choices
As Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to deliver his Spring Statement this lunchtime, the Scarborough branch of a charity for older people says its clients are struggling.
Age UK in the town says it is a challenge for people to make ends meet in the face of big increases in the cost of living.
It says its services are now focusing on practical help and support rather than tackling loneliness.
Neil Bradbury, Chief Executive of Age UK Scarborough, said: "The bus network there's been cutbacks in the last year because of a lack of drivers during Covid for many rural areas but also for towns where you might think people can get about. The car is one of the few options for people to effectively get about, people don't have a choice.
"Coastal communities actually have some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country and we have an older population in the North Yorkshire coast so we do see a lot of problems. There isn't a lot of money going around with a lot of people but they have to find the money to pay for their heating and fuel bills.
"You see people cutting down on their heating, only heating one room in their house maybe, we see people economising about how many meals they eat every day which is really quite shocking in today's day and age. They really are not luxuries, they are things that people should be able to afford.
"Perhaps the demand in previous years was just for friendships and activities etc but there's a lot more activities that we're moving into and providing in terms of welfare, food and helping people with their bills."
Neil explains what he wants from the Chancellor:
"Real actual Government sponsored reductions in the taxation levels for heating and fuel. These are two of the big things that have rocketed at people and I'd really like to see some Government action to bring the prices down because it's unsustainable."