Turn2us: Without Intervention Cost of Living Will Keep Going Up

Commenting on the Office of National Statistics August Consumer Price Index inflation figures today, Michael Clarke, Head of Information Programmes at Turn2us, said:

“These figures still mean an increase in the real cost of living for people, an increase affecting anyone on a low income most of all. We know people are still struggling from the continuing high volumes of calls to our helpline about benefit enquiries and emergency support.

“Many are still trying to cut back on already threadbare budgets and turning to food banks to get by. Those on the lowest incomes will be unable to afford the basics needed to live and we are now coming into the colder months with no government support for energy in place.

"Intervention is needed to catch people before they fall into crisis because our social security system should provide the protection to weather this continuing crisis. The government should ensure that as a minimum, benefit levels are increased to meet the true cost of living and they should assess their own practices of benefit deductions so that money is not taken away from people when they need it most.”