How the cost of living crisis has hit Dorset

As the cost of living surges, driven largely by increasing fuel and energy costs, more and more pressure is being put on families and households across Dorset and the New Forest.

And many are reaching a 'crisis point' says one foodbank boss, with prices rising so quickly that the real living wage is not keeping up.

Charities and foodbanks are calling for more support as more and more residents - some of whom have never had to rely on help - are being pushed to the limit.

Debbie Coombes, Bournemouth Foodbank's project director said people are reaching "crisis point".

A smart metre next to an energy bill

She said: “It's very clear that rising costs are pushing more and more people towards a crisis point.

“So far in January 2022, the Bournemouth Foodbank has provided emergency food parcels to 839 people in the area.

“This is an increment of 43 per cent compared to the same period last year.

“This time last year, the cheapest pasta at the supermarket was 29p for 500g, today it’s 70p.

“People are having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes."

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that two-thirds of UK adults have seen their cost of living jump over the past month as energy bills soared and price rises filtered down to supermarket shelves.

Alistair Doxat-Purser, chief executive at Faithworks Wessex said: "One of the really obvious things that we've noticed when we compare our figures, is that more people are coming to the foodbanks for one-off help.

Bournemouth foodbank

"You could say that this is a sign that there are more people who are just finding it that little bit more difficult to make ends meet and are having to seek emergency help.

"I know from talking to my colleagues at Citizens Advice that they're seeing more people who are in work and needing help and that's a sign that we're maybe not 'just about' managing any more.

"They used to say that Bournemouth was one of the least affordable places to live so it was already a challenge for people on a low wage and anything that happens to increase prices is obviously going to make that harder."

Read more: 

• Dorset MP questions food bank use as numbers rocket
• Demand for emergency food parcels rise by a third in one month
• ‘Demand is outstripping supply at food banks ’

Alison Talbot, chief officer at Citizens Advice New Forest says residents in the area face a tough spring ahead.

She said: "Our advisers are hearing from clients across the New Forest who are struggling with their energy bills.

Cllr Nick Ireland says Dorset has high council tax and the cost of living crisis is coming - people are struggling.

— Dorset Council UK (@DorsetCouncilUK) January 18, 2022

"There are people who’re having to live and sleep in one room of their house because they can’t afford heating or going to bed at 5pm because their homes are so cold. It isn’t just people on benefits, people in work are having to use food banks because they simply can’t cover their essential costs.

"A tough winter is set to be followed by an even tougher spring. We’re likely to see an eye watering rise to the energy price cap (circa £700), a National Insurance hike and further rises to inflation. Many families simply can’t keep pace with the cost of living - and that’s why the government needs to act urgently."

Grant Robson, director at Dorset Community Foundation said: “In the coming months we could see the lifting of the fuel price cap, which could see bills rise by another £600, the National Insurance increase and higher council tax bills.

Sherborne Citizens Advice here to help local residents cope with cost of living crisis. Families are being squeezed from all sides by a cost of living crisis: high inflation, low benefit
levels and soaring energy bills……. pic.twitter.com/DyInHSHIjL

— Citizens Advice Central Dorset (@WestDorsetCAB) January 28, 2022

“All of this will push people deeper into poverty and tip more people who are only just managing, into it.

“In turn this will place a greater burden on charities supporting families through foodbanks, childcare and mental health and many of them are still dealing with the financial fallout of Covid, which left them unable to fundraise for almost two years.”

Economist at Bournemouth University, Professor Jens Holscher said: "The main issue with inflation, is that it is socially unjust, it is widening the income gap between rich and poor, which is why it is also a political issue.

Woke up this morning to the radio talking about the cost of living rising a further 5%. It infuriates me the index that they use for this calculation, which grossly underestimates the real cost of inflation as it happens to people with the least. Allow me to briefly explain.

— Jack Monroe (@BootstrapCook) January 19, 2022

“The government could help by subsiding those on a lower income or introducing lower tax rates for a lower income, if this is going to continue they really need to increase the minimum wage because it was set in non-inflationary environment.”

In the end though he believes the Bank of England will be the one to act: "It's better to anticipate inflation earlier and try to reduce this rather than waiting until its over 5% and then the hard hit can be quite a shock for the economy as a whole.

"I am expecting the Bank of England to act rather swiftly and raise interest rates in a very measured way, so that it will not come as a surprise."