Cost of Living crisis

Morning Star Editorial: As Britain freezes, thanks to Reeves, so do its most vulnerable citizens

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Image of cash and pre-payment meter key
Image of cash and pre-payment meter key

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-freezes-thanks-reeves-so-do-its-most-vulnerable-citizens

THE stark fact is that Britain’s fuel poverty crisis puts lives at risk.

The present cold snap brings home the extent of the crisis for the elderly, made more intense by the Labour government’s removal of the automatic winter fuel payment.

More than three-quarters of the public want a social tariff to underpin an energy bill discount for those who need it most.

Pensioners are a clear example of a group that includes many of the most vulnerable.

The arguments in favour of a social tariff are simple. It should support all who depend on heating and electricity for their health and wellbeing. Keeping the costs of energy at a manageable level and protecting the vulnerable from the volatility of the capitalist market in energy should be the mark of a modern and civilised country.

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Continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-freezes-thanks-reeves-so-do-its-most-vulnerable-citizens

Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Continue ReadingMorning Star Editorial: As Britain freezes, thanks to Reeves, so do its most vulnerable citizens

Children’s charities call for action on under-4s poverty in Wales

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/childrens-charities-call-action-under-4s-poverty-wales

A preschool age child playing with plastic building blocks

CHARITIES called for action yesterday after research revealed that most children living in poverty in Wales live in a family with at least one child under four years old.

The study from Barnardo’s Cymru and the Bevan Foundation found that the birth of a baby often leads to a drop in household income while costs increase.

This, combined with low maternity pay, meagre social security benefits and the rising costs of essentials, can push families with young children into poverty.

Sarah Row, a child services manager for nearly 10 years, said she had been shocked by the scale of poverty, poor housing and mental health problems affecting the lives of children and their parents in recent months.

Working in some of South Wales’s poorest communities, she has come across examples of young children sleeping on mattresses black with mould and others spending the night on the floor.

“I have never seen things this bad,” Ms Row said.

“Parents are often reluctant to admit just how bad things are, as they feel ashamed they cannot feed and clothe their children or keep them warm.”

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/childrens-charities-call-action-under-4s-poverty-wales

Continue ReadingChildren’s charities call for action on under-4s poverty in Wales

Millions will spend Christmas in ‘Dickensian conditions’

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This article was originally posted 6/12/24 but was deleted, probably my mistake.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/millions-will-spend-christmas-dickensian-conditions

A general view of housing in Scarborough, North Yorkshire

MILLIONS of people are spending a fourth Christmas in “Dickensian conditions” due to fuel poverty, a damning report revealed today.

Warm This Winter found that 16 per cent of adults, equal to 8.8 million people, in Britain live in cold, damp homes, exposed to the health risks of living in fuel poverty.

The campaign group has warned that the government’s Warm Homes Plan will come too late for one in 10 people who have frequently experienced dangerous mould levels in their homes this year.

Poorly insulated homes risk damp and mould spreading, which the NHS warns can lead to respiratory issues, infections, allergies and asthma.

Such conditions can also increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and other severe health problems.

Cold homes can cause and worsen respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, poor mental health, dementia and hypothermia as well as cause and slow recovery from injury.

…

End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “The sheer numbers of people living in cold, damp homes this winter should send alarm bells throughout Westminster.

“These shocking figures have hardly changed since last year and with energy bills heading upwards again in January, the situation is now critical for the government.”

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Original aticle at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/millions-will-spend-christmas-dickensian-conditions

Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Continue ReadingMillions will spend Christmas in ‘Dickensian conditions’

Scottish budget vows to scrap two-child benefits cap

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/scottish-budget-vows-to-scrap-two-child-benefits-cap

Finance Secretary Shona Robison during a visit to Logan Energy Limited in Edinburgh ahead of the publication of the Scottish Budget, December 4, 2024

SCOTTISH Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced that the two-child cap on benefits will be scrapped in Scotland as she pledged record spending for both the NHS and councils in next year’s Budget today.

The moved to scrap the cap would lift 15,000 children out of poverty, Ms Robison said.

She told MSPs as she outlined her draft Budget plans in Holyrood: “Be in no doubt that the cap will be scrapped.”

Ms Robison slammed the UK Labour government’s inaction on a “pernicious” policy considered to be a key driver of child poverty by organisations such as the Poverty Alliance.

She challenged the UK government to work with them and share the necessary information to “build a system” to mitigate it “as early as we can in 2026.”

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/scottish-budget-vows-to-scrap-two-child-benefits-cap

Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Continue ReadingScottish budget vows to scrap two-child benefits cap