Report reveals half of charity’s clients don’t have enough income

An anti-poverty charity has published a report showing a sharp rise in unsustainable budgets among its clients, with the average person £242 short each month.

The report by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) reveals a rise in the proportion of client budgets that are unsustainable each year over the past five years, apart from 2020 when the uplift to Universal Credit was in place. Since its removal, and with the cost of living crisis accelerating from 2021, the speed of this trend has increased substantially.

Among the report’s other findings:

• More than half of those surveyed have regularly skipped meals (54%) – an increase from 47% the previous year
• Over half been unable to afford to heat their homes (51%) – up from 45% the year before
• The most common reasons for needing to borrow money were to pay for food, clothing or essential living costs (56%) or to cover a household bill (53%)
• Over half (55%) have mental ill-health, showing the impact of poverty on people’s wellbeing
• Half (50%) have attempted or considered suicide as a way out of their debts before seeking help – a rise from 36% the previous year and 28% in 2020

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting a wide variety of people but certain groups are likely to be most affected and in need of help. The report shows 30% of CAP clients are single parents, 33% have a physical disability, 26% have a serious or terminal illness and 31% have experienced abuse.

CAP’s Director of External Affairs, Gareth McNab, said: ‘At Christians Against Poverty we are seeing increasing amounts of everyday people unable to afford the basics: skipping meals, going without heating, falling into debt to cover essential bills and feeling completely hopeless.

‘It’s heartbreaking for us all at CAP every time one of our local Debt Centre Managers walks into a new client’s home to find an empty fridge and cupboards, dark and cold rooms and piles of bills that the person simply can’t afford.

‘We need more funding for free debt help so we are able to continue supporting people during the cost of living crisis, and the ticking timebomb of debt that still hasn’t exploded in our economy.

‘The UK government and political parties must show more commitment to facing up to poverty. We need more short term support to help those on the lowest incomes to cope with rising costs and longer term commitments to tackling poverty from all political parties ahead of next year’s general election.

‘Poverty seems to be winning the fight right now. Only together will we be able to turn the tide and start to eradicate this evil that’s harming our friends, families, neighbours and communities.’

CAP called for a review of social security and of minimum wages, to see them set in line with the Minimum Income Standard so that they will always cover the basics.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya