“Shockingly low incomes” leaving people across Newcastle and the North East hungry
Over 340,000 people in the North East say they don't have enough to live on as part of a new report from Christians Against Poverty.
Chronically low incomes are devastating people’s lives according to the latest report by free debt advice and money coaching charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
CAP’s latest polling with YouGov shows 344,000 (13%) adults who live in the North East say they currently have a deficit budget, which means their income doesn’t cover their basic essentials.
Julia Wilthew, Christians Against Poverty’s Area Manager, said: “This new report shows the brutal reality of living on a shockingly low income and how easy it can be to fall into debt.
“Whether it’s caring for a loved one, ill-health or a lack of suitable work opportunities, many people’s circumstances mean they have no or limited options to increase their income.
“A lot of local debt and poverty is hidden behind closed doors. There are individuals and families in our community who have empty fridges and are going hungry, living without the basics, and keeping their curtains closed out of fear of debt collectors.
The charity's clients on average are £273 a month short of what they need to be able to cover their basics such as food, energy bills and rent.
Julia continued to say: “Poverty can be tackled. CAP has helped thousands of people to go debt free, improve their financial situations, and increase their skills and confidence to get back into work.
“This isn’t an impossible mission but in order to tackle the problem on a wider scale we need to see positive changes to systems in our society. To make that happen we need more people to join our campaign against poverty.
“If, like us, you're passionate about seeing people helped out of poverty you can join CAP’s campaign group for free".