Oldhamers share cost-of-living fears as crisis deepens

Spiralling food, petrol and energy prices are at the forefront of residents’ minds as Britain remains in the grip of a tightening cost-of-living squeeze.

The Oldham Times recently asked readers how much their bills had gone up by. The question was met by a flood of comments on social media.

Graham E Procter said: “Everything has gone up by at least 25 per cent.”

Richard Finney added: “I eat out a lot less, don’t eat takeaways, just shop for proper good healthy ingredients, but got to shop smart these days, horrendous how prices are rising”.

Patricia Dewar-Fitton simply said: “Frightened to think about it.”

Karl, 46, from South Chadderton, who did not want to reveal his second name, said his family of three had started to eat less meat and fish and taken up batch cooking and meal plans amid the price surge.

He added that the family ‘never buys branded food’, keeps their heating on a timer and wear hoodies indoors.

Commenting on rocketing petrol prices, Nicola King said: “Can’t help feel that we are just being taken advantage of by everyone. When I first passed my driving test it cost £35 to fill my car. Three years later same car costing just over £50.

“Won't even scare you with how much my gas and electric is and my water bill and grocery shopping is ridiculous now. Going have to put us all on rations and sit in the dark and cold”.

Echoing her comments, Helen Sinfield called petrol prices ‘a joke’.

Several readers meanwhile said they were most concerned about the rise to council tax.

From April 1, council tax rise is set to rise by 3.99 per cent, two per cent will fund adult social care and 1.99 per cent will fund council services, such as street cleaning, highways, and youth work.

Under the plans all carers in Oldham will be paid the foundation living wage, which will see wages rise from £9.50 an hour to £9.90, working out at an extra £768 a year.

The council tax rise means that the average household will pay around £45 more a year to the authority.

Commenting on the cost-of-living crisis, Major Estelle Blake, church leader of The Salvation Army Oldham Fitton Hill said: “As the cost of living continues to increase at a dramatic rate, we are seeing more and more people pushed into poverty and the need for our services rise as people are living each month hand to mouth.

Jim McMahon MP with volunteers at The Salvation Army Oldham Fitton Hill

“Things have gotten worse in the last two months alone; we are seeing people coming to us that never thought that they would need a helping hand, but the choice of ‘to heat or to eat’ is becoming worryingly more common and as the rising cost of living continues to soar, we have no doubt that demand for our support will continue to rise at an alarming rate.

“People are desperate and fuel price inflation is an increasing concern. We will always support the vulnerable members of the Oldham community, mobilising our services to support those hardest hit and in times of need.”

The Oldham Foodbank has issued regular appeals to get more stock in the face of soaring demand.

Earlier this month, Father Tom Davis of St Margaret's and St Chad's in Hollinwood, who runs Oldham Foodbank said: "I never thought I'd be part of a food bank that would run out of baked beans and tinned fish."

Father Tom Davis with volunteers at the food bank.

The figures are sobering.

Between April and September last year, 5,972 food parcels were distributed by the Trussell Trust in Oldham a percentage increase of 121 per cent compared to the same period five years ago in 2016.

From January 1 to February 25 this year, the foodbank has fed 2978 people including 1129 young people.

In a bid to help struggling families First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) in partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) charity have launched multiple food hubs where residents can pick up weekly food bags at a discounted rate.

FCHO staff next to a TBBT food van. 

Commenting on the food hubs, Kelly Webb, operations director for customer services at FCHO said: “We know that the effects of the pandemic, rising food prices and energy bills, along with changes such as the end of the £20 Universal Credit uplift have all impacted on our customers’ finances.

“Access to affordable food is crucial and our partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is more important than ever.”

Commenting on the crisis, a Government spokesperson said: “We recognise people are facing pressures with the cost of living, which is why we are providing support worth around £12bn this financial year and next. We are supporting vulnerable households through initiatives such as the £500m Household Support Fund, Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.”

Residents who need help with costs are urged to contact the council helpline on 0161 770 7007.

FCHO residents can contact 0161 393 7117 for support.