Fears teenagers in East Yorkshire are turning to crime because they can't afford to eat

It comes as the new PM considers measures to address energy costs

Author: Andy MarshPublished 7th Sep 2022

New prime minister Liz Truss is being urged to address the rising cost of living after evidence some teenagers across East Yorkshire are turning to crime because they simply can't afford to eat.

Figures show two in five people in the UK on Universal Credit say they skipped a meal in the last month because they're struggling financially.

The Trussell Trust - which operates a network of food banks - says research also shows one in three have fallen into debt, despite July's cost-of-living government handout.

That appears to be leading to some teenagers to steal food.

We spoke to Fiona Rainforth the lead youth worker at Cherry Tree youth club in Beverley about the situation:

She told us: "If they don't have the money sometimes they'll just pick something from a shop"

"They don't realise the bigger impact it has on the industry and the business itself so you have to explain that."

"But yes they are going without."

"I'm talking to young people who are at home and having to make the choice between having the lights on and having the telly on and they can't do both."

"Young people who are fending for themselves as young carers, not allowed to use the cooker, I'm trying to get noodles and think of things they can cook on the hob and that's easy to cook."

"They are aware of the cost of the electric and the gas."

"It's unbelievable, we're overrun, we're taking calls and getting emails from people who are deperate."