Local charity urges more support as cost-of-living crisis mounts in the south east

Citizens Advice Portsmouth is warning that - without further government action - people across the southeast risk falling into severe hardship in order to shoulder energy price hikes.

The local charity, which has seen the number of people needing help with energy debts increase by 77% since last year, has found that:

● 15% in the south east are currently unable to afford energy bills, even if they cut back or fall behind on other essentials

● This jumps to 26% of people after the energy price cap hike on 1st April 2022

Citizens Advice Portsmouth is calling for urgent government help. Firstly, by increasing benefits in April in line the current rate of inflation, rather than last September's rate. And secondly, by offering further support to prevent families once again choosing between heating and eating in October when the price cap is predicted to rise again.

Sandy Bramley, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Portsmouth said:

"At Citizens Advice Portsmouth we're seeing first hand that the budgets of people across the south east are being pushed to the brink.

"Current measures announced by the government don't go far enough. Only 6% of people across the region think the energy rebate will make a significant difference to their ability to pay their energy bill from October. If the government doesn't at least increase benefits to match the current rate of inflation, many more households will be pushed to crisis point."

For more information contact: Sandy Bramley CO Portsmouth Citizens Advice