Nearly half of households in Gorton are expected to be in fuel poverty this month
This is up over 50% from 2019
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
Recent data modelling from End Fuel Poverty Coalition has estimated that 44.5% of all households in the Greater Manchester constituency of Gorton will be in fuel poverty this month.
This estimate is over double the number of Gorton residents in fuel poverty in 2019 (22.8%), which was deemed by a government report as one of the highest fuel poverty rates in the U.K at the time.
The data modelling also revealed that Greater Manchester as a whole is predicted to experience an increase in fuel poverty come April, rising from 15.3% of all households in 2019 to 29.7%.
According to End Fuel Poverty Coalition, this estimated fuel poverty increase is down to the latest rise in fuel prices and the energy price cap rise, also taking into account the £200 government loan.
"Bills are skyrocketing"
Gorton's MP, Afzal Khan, told us that fuel poverty is already affected families across Gorton but this is not the full extent of their worries.
He stated: "It's almost like a triple whammy that families are experiencing. We've seen universal credit cut by the government, the increase of national insurance and then you look at the energy companies and the bills are skyrocketing."
The Labour MP continued: "If you are reasonably well off, then you can absorb the shock of the price increases.
"Do you stay warm or put some food in your children's system?"
Afzal Khan continued: "But if you're budget is already tight, that's when you have to make the choice: do you stay warm or do you put some food in your children's system? And that is a tough choice.
"And It's so sad that in this day and age in the 21st century when Britain is one of the richest countries in the world that there is such a disparity between people."
The MP then went on to tell us that during the pandemic, he's seen the demand for foodbanks increase in Gorton and that more than ever, families are struggling financially.
When asked what he thought of the government £200 loan scheme introduced by Rishi Sunak to "take the sting" out of the £700-a-year rise in the the average household's energy bills, he said: "It's almost like a scheme where you can buy now and pay later. But what's going to happen later?"
Afzal Khan continued: "The government really need to get their act together and I don't think they are. Either they want to help the companies, who don't need help and are making billions or they're trying to help the Prime Minister. They're not helping the families who need help the most."
"I'm only putting my heating on every second day"
We also spoke with residents of Gorton on how fuel and cost of living increases are affecting them.
Michelle, who works full-time and lives alone, told us: "It's just too much. When I go shopping now, I'm being more selective about what I'm buying just because everything's gone up, and I'm only putting the heating on every second day."
She also told us that she could see a time in the future where she'll have to choose between eating or putting the heating on.
"I'm not able to pay my bills"
Alissa, a single mum of two, said: "I live off the emergency emergency electric credit... I'm in debt as well to be honest and I'm not able to pay my bills."
She continued: "It's a bit tight on my kids, when my daughters come home from school they're hungry. The money's not going up but the food prices are going up so I'm having to buy less. It's embarrassing."
The cap on energy bills has increased from 1st April this month, with millions facing an average bill rise of £693.