The End Fuel Poverty Coalition (EFPC) has warned that the current prolonged freezing minus temperatures could prompt a sharp increase in excess death this winter as financial worries force vulnerable households to skimp on heating. The Coalition fears there will be fatal consequences from the scale of those economising on heating, as forecasters predict the UK will be hit by sub-zero temperatures for the rest of the week.
This coincides with rail strikes ahead of Christmas, that too amid a massive cost of living crisis with rise in energy bills which will directly impact businesses like restaurants and pubs because people will be unable to travel across the country or city. This has led to cancelling or postponing of Christmas parties as well. Not only does it affect celebration and recreation, but it unfortunately engulfs the elderly and underprivileged into its garb who may not have enough pension or funds to afford heating, hot food and may have to depend on volunteers and community organisation for help. It is also important to note that these volunteers and organisations also aren’t independent of the rail strikes. If there is no means of transport, the will to help will not be enough to save people from bitter cold.
A YouGov survey on Christmas spending intentions that was conducted at the end of September 2022 displayed that six in ten or 60% of people in the UK are planning to spend less on Christmas this year, owing to the cost-of-living crisis. Meanwhile, 28% declared that they will be spending as much as they normally do on Christmas.
Sharing his two cents on the rail strike and its impact on the hospitality sector, Roop Partap Choudhary of Colonel Saab told Asian Voice, “Our sector is one of the hardest hit by the rail strikes, first to close and last to open during the pandemic. The current circumstances are critically impacting hospitality and will require a government intervention and further support for the food and beverage industry. We’ve lost around 250 bookings so far since the dates have been announced. Larger events have reduced their numbers and the hopes for covering the backlogs in terms of sales have also gone. The effect of the strikes will pile additional pressure on restaurants that are already struggling with lacklustre bookings, labour shortages and increased costs – from energy bills and payroll to the price of ingredients.”
Aadit Shankar of Atcha UK told us, “Rail strikes have a debilitating effect on our business, and one which is more pronounced at this time of year when we expect to be very busy. I am not against industrial action per se, but the timing has huge knock-on impact. Our raw materials aren’t being delivered, our staff can’t get to work on time, and our customers are cancelling orders. It’s a tough end to the year!”
Simon Francis, the group’s coordinator of EFPC told The Guardian, “People are now literally choosing between heating and dying. We obviously understand the financial pain that everyone is going through, but you can recover from debt, you can’t recover from dying. If people don’t have their heating on, they will end up at the doors of the NHS or even worse.”
According to him, 10,000 more people die every year due to damp homes and lack of heating. He said: “We are concerned that as temperatures plummet, people cannot stay warm and the worst impacts of living in fuel poverty will be realised. That average excess deaths are based on years when energy bills were half what they are now.”
“We know that levels of fuel poverty are way ahead of where they were in previous years. The stories that we’re hearing from people are really heart breaking.”
Erika Radford, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK also told the Guardian that winter is already a deadly time for people with lung conditions and the last thing we want to see is more people being rushed to hospital fighting for breath, because of exposure to the cold.
Age UK charity director, Caroline Abrahams told the press, “Even with the extra help available this winter, energy prices will push nearly a third of older households – around 3m homes – into fuel poverty over the coming months. We are hearing from increasing numbers of older people who have no idea how they’re going to get through the next few months, and are terrified to turn the heating up for fear of getting into debt. Because being cold increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks, we are really concerned that more people will die due to cold homes compared to previous years. The government must do everything possible to ensure that vulnerable older people have the confidence to turn on their heating during this extremely cold period.”
Chef Jomon Kuriakose, Executive Chef The Lalit London, told the newsweekly, “If you ask me professionally we are facing a good amount of cancellations due to the strike. Most of them were big groups. If you ask me personally, after long day in the kitchen it’s very hard to be on railway stations to find out the options to reach home . It physically, morally and professionally putting us down, especially those who works late nights like me.”
30 million in the UK ‘priced out of decent standard of living by 2024’
Meanwhile, according to a new study, thirty million people in the UK will be unable to afford what the public considers to be a decent standard of living by the time the current parliament ends in 2024. The NEF calculated that by 2024 almost 90% of single parents and 50% of workers with children would fall below a minimum income standard showed the need for a radical overhaul of the welfare system.
Families are struggling to come to terms with their situation
Sangat Centre in Harrow provides warm meeting place Monday to Friday, tea and coffee through out the day as well as freshly cooked meal daily.
Elyas Ismail of Newham Community Project told the newsweekly that the cost-of-living inflation has caused a nationwide crisis, leaving many families vulnerable and displaced. In the past 6 months we have seen an escalation in people facing destitution and in need of our services. Rents have increased, utilities and food cost, all having a devastating impact on lives.
“Newham has one of the highest percentages of low-income families in the country, and the wages are simply not enough to even cover essential expenses. Some of our service users have two jobs, which barely covers the rent and bills! They are making that tough decision whether they put food on the table or pay the bills!
“Families are struggling with coming to terms with their situation, and whilst we run a food bank providing essential provisions every week, we also run a baby bank and other wraparound services. We provide warm clothing for children, blankets, nappies, and other child necessities.
“We have a team of mental health experts and trauma informed practitioner that offer one to one and group support to help with the stigmatisation our service users are facing. There are many barriers for those in desperate need to getting support and our wraparound services help overcome some of these barriers and the stigmatisation.
“We also offer many weekly workshops and clubs including an integration and cohesion programme helping with social development and engagement, employability and life skills and mental wellbeing workshops. These all benefit our service users and the wider community to help with the current cost of living nationwide crisis, peace of mind, increased employment, and day to day living,” Ismail told Asian Voice.
Charities to the rescue?
Amidst these gloomy times, there are many charities who have come forward to help people in distress. One such charity is Go Dharmic who after the success of summer food aid partnership with Bloomsbury Football, they have launched a Winter food aid programme.
Charan Sekhon - Founder Chairman SEVA Trust UK told Asian Voice, “The impact of high living costs have been felt by all but the medium & low income families and the elderly people are struggling a lot. With freezing cold weather, cost of gas and electric hitting sky high, this has become a very difficult winter and more and more families are individuals need urgent help. Our charity is receiving a lot of calls for help with family food, children uniform and warm clothing. I feel the government and local councils also need to do more and act fast to help people in need and all community organisations also need to work together to support our local communities throughout this this winter.”
Bloomsbury Football has organised holiday football camps for disadvantaged children who are eligible for free school meals during term time, and Go Dharmic will organise, provide, and deliver the hot meals for the children. Go Dharmic will deliver food to 4 football camps across North and West London. Between 19th and the 22nd of December, Market Road, Harris Academy, Capital City Academy, and Westway Sports Centre will be served. On the 23rd, and then between the 28th and the 30th, meals will be given to Market Road.
A total of 640 meals are being delivered, taking into account dietary requirements, providing meals for these children outside of term time and alleviating pressure on struggling families.
Sacha Voynot, who coordinated and oversaw the project, said: “Making children smile is always a very rewarding experience. This project is a fantastic opportunity for Go Dharmic to support local communities in North London during these difficult times.
"Overall, it is a very enjoyable experience working for Go Dharmic as well as AP, not only because of the good people involved, but also it is satisfying knowing the fact that you are working towards a philanthropic cause.”
Another event by Go Dharmic is The Salt Ride Event, which is an annual event that is organised every year. The event began on 9th December and will end on 16th December where people will be cycling from Ahmedabad to Dandi to raise money for Go Dharmic’s environmental projects.
Paula Stei, Operations Executive, Go Dharmic believes this will help in raising funds and will inspire others to donate.
"GD’s mission is to ‘Love All. Feed All. Serve All’ and I find this particularly poignant during the festive season. Things are so hard right now. The cost of living has gone up by 10%. Energy prices are skyrocketing and we’re moving into the harsher temperatures. So many – young and old – are suffering, and that’s why it is so important to be proactive and give when you can. Because too many don’t even have adequate living conditions, warmth or food, let alone presents. And I thought it would be great to combine the festive spirit of sharing and love with a historic event dedicated to raising people’s well-being....I’m hoping that these endeavours will not only help to raise funds, but will also inspire others to give, share, and care for those struggling today, and prompt some much needed conversations during our festive gatherings,” a spokesperson told Asian Voice.
Another such charity house is Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity which is an independent charity who believes homelessness has no place here in Greater Manchester. They are urging people to help them raise £30,000 to fund 1,000 Beds for Christmas. The scheme includes providing emergency beds, food and wrap-around support to help people move into more permanent accommodation. ‘Since its launch, your generosity has helped over 4000 people in the region. But due to the current cost of living and energy crisis people and services are under immense pressure. Your help is urgently needed. Your donations will go even further through the generosity of our partner, Together, matching public donations up to £20,000. Help us raise £30,000 to fund 1,000 Beds for Christmas,’ read the post on Just Giving.
Help vulnerable children in London feel like they belong this Christmas
Churches in London are inviting their local communities to help bring hope and a sense of belonging to some of the UK’s most vulnerable children this festive season by supporting their Christingle celebration for The Children’s Society.
Several services are being held throughout December and beyond and are open to everyone. All funds raised will go towards providing life-changing support for vulnerable children and young people who face huge life challenges like abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Families and communities are welcome to come and celebrate at the festive fundraising events, which revolve around children decorating oranges with red ribbon, cocktail sticks and sweets. These, as well as a candle, highlight different parts of the Christian story.
Christingle is a tradition that has been taking place for over half a century and these events are an opportunity for people of all ages to join in, light a candle and enjoy the warmth and connection of this special festive occasion. With thousands of people attending each year, the Christingle events play a key role in supporting The Children’s Society’s vital work to help some of this country’s most vulnerable children.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “We’re thrilled that so many Christingle events are happening across London to help us be there for the vulnerable children we support and we’re truly grateful to everyone who attends for their support. These Christingle events in London and across the country make it possible for us to continue with our vital work and transform the lives of even more children in need of our help.”
Experts reveal top tips on how to reduce stress from cost-of-living crisis
The lingering stress of the cost-of-living crisis weighs heavily on the shoulders of many, and with temperatures dropping, food prices skyrocketing, and Christmas just around the corner, it is bound to have an added impact on the stresses of everyday life. Therefore, people up and down the country are looking for tips and tricks to ease and eliminate as much stress as possible.
CBD experts Simply CBD have revealed some tips that will help encourage stress relaxation and a stress-free routine that you can implement into your weekly routine.
New analysis reveals that searches in the UK for ‘reduce stress’ increased 216% over the past month, proving just how desperate Brits are to find solutions for feelings of overwhelming stress. In fact, searches for ‘is stress normal’ has seen a huge 635% increase over the past month in the UK, showing just how concerned people are about stress levels and how they can impact their health.