The year began with unprecedented financial challenges for individuals and families across the UK, according to a report released by Citizens Advice. As the cost-of-living crisis intensifies, the charity has witnessed an alarming surge in the number of people seeking assistance.
Rising Financial Hardships
Citizens Advice has been inundated with an overwhelming number of cases, assisting a record 9,600 people per day on average between January and April. The charity’s vital support extended to 94,000 individuals, an alarming 178% increase compared to the same period in 2020. Among those seeking help, the number of homeless individuals reached an all-time high of 14,300.
The cost-of-living crisis has impacted not only housing but also basic necessities. The report reveals a staggering 49% increase in private renters facing eviction issues compared to the first four months of 2020. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in the number of people unable to afford to top up their energy prepayment meters, with ten times more people seeking the charity’s assistance this year compared to 2020.
Financial Struggles and Debt
One of the most distressing aspects of the report is the increasing number of individuals unable to cover their basic bills with their income, resulting in a monthly bills deficit. More than half of the people seeking support from Citizens Advice, accounting for 51.6%, find themselves in this dire situation. The charity also recorded a record-breaking 112% increase in people seeking help for energy debt during the first four months of 2023, with 32,400 individuals reaching out for assistance.
The charity’s bleakest-ever start to the year signifies the severity of the challenges millions of people face. Despite their best efforts, individuals and families cannot meet their financial obligations, struggling to pay bills and provide food for their households.
Next Steps
The record-breaking number of people seeking assistance reflects the magnitude of the challenges many across the UK face, and I would like to help!
Having both personal and professional experience in dealing with financial difficulties, I would like to offer my support so we can take immediate action to address these difficult times together.
Please feel free to contact me now to arrange a free, thirty-minute, no-obligation chat. Equally, please feel free to contact me via email or fill in my contact form.