Jean Holbrough loved her pets more than anything else in the world – dubbing the animals her “two best friends”.
Having cared for the cat and dog duo for over 15 years, the Manchester mum was heartbroken when they recently succumbed to old age.
But beneath her grief and sadness, a little voice in the back of her head said: ‘At least you can save on pet care now’.
“It’s horrible because I feel guilty,” the 64-year-old said. “I never thought I’d say, ‘You know what, I’m so glad they died,’ but that's the way you start feeling.”
READ MORE: HMRC confirm date one million households will receive £301 cost of living payment
Jean lives in Harpurhey with her son Michael and his partner. Michael, 45, was forced to move out of his Whitefield flat two years ago due to rent increases.
Like so many across Greater Manchester, the family are struggling to cope with rising costs – cutting back on as much as they can just to keep their heads above water.
“It’s crippling,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “Every time you go to the supermarket, [items] don’t just go up by a penny or two pence, it’s going up by 20p or 30p.
“The water rates have gone up, council tax has gone up, rents have gone up and gas and electric bills have gone up – but your pay doesn’t go up.
“We don’t go out so there’s nothing else to give up. You feel like you’re being pushed into debt because there’s nothing else to give up.”
The family's financial situation has become so dire that Jean has even found herself skipping meals.
“It’s depressing,” she added. “You find yourself trying to account for every penny that you spend and think, ‘Do I really need this? Do I really need that? Could I manage without that this week?’
“Then you’re skipping things. You’ll do it until you find yourself skipping the odd meal now and again to try and save money, and I don’t think that does your mental health any good.
“Something has to give. I don’t understand how the power companies are still allowed to get away with making such huge profits.
“You’re always worried thinking the water rates are due, and this is due, it’s a constant worry in the back of your mind. Even if you buy the basic and cheapest of everything, that’s gone up too. What are you supposed to do?”
Harpurhey South and Monsall is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Manchester, with an average annual household income of £26,500, according to new research.
Around 36.3 per cent of people living the suburb are deprived in one or more areas - including employment, housing, education and health.
The figures come as more than 400,000 struggling families in Greater Manchester are due a direct payment of £301 to help ease the cost-of-living crisis, new data has revealed.
Households on means-tested benefits will automatically receive £301 between April 25 and May 17, the Department for Work and Pensions says.
That amounts to more than £2.4 billion in funding provided to families across the UK.
In Greater Manchester, more than £127.5m is being shared out among 423,700 families.
Manchester has the highest number of households eligible for the payout – nearly half of all households at 97,100 – meaning that more than £29.2m will be pumped into struggling households in the city.
Manchester is followed by Oldham, where 44.2 per cent of households will benefit, and then Rochdale at 42.1 per cent.
That compares to just one in four households in Trafford at 24 per cent, the lowest proportion in Greater Manchester, where 23,100 households are due a payment.
Lilian Birtles works part-time as a cleaner at the University of Salford. The 66-year-old should have retired last September – but she simply can’t afford to do so.
“Me and my husband should be retired now but we’re still working,” Lilian, who lives in Lower Broughton, said.
“You’re scared to retire because of your bills. I’m not too bad because I only work part-time, but my husband works full-time and he could do with finishing. It’s just going to get worse and worse, isn’t it?”
Lilian is out shopping with her friend Donna Karney at Harpurhey Shopping Centre. “You see old people on telly with blankets wrapped around them, it’s all wrong,” 53-year-old Donna added.
“They should be able to sit and watch telly and not have a blanket on. They can’t put the heating on; it’s ridiculous. They’ve worked all their lives.
“You should be able to retire because you don’t know how long you’ve got, that’s the way I look at it. You shouldn’t have to worry when you’ve worked all your life.”
One mum-of-five, who did not wish to give her name, told the M.E.N her gas and electricity bills have more than doubled – leaving her terrified for the future.
“It’s hard,” she said. “Especially when you have five kids in tow as well. My youngest is eight-months old and I have no help or anything towards him.
“My electricity bill has gone from £20 to £60 a week and my gas has gone from £30 to £80. How do you justify that? How can these companies justify that?”
The 38-year-old had to give up her job in a supermarket in order to care for her children. Though her bills are rocketing, she says her Universal Credit allowance helps.
“My kids just eat one thing, they’re awkward eaters,” she added. “I have to buy different things all the time. I have to cook three different meals a day.
“I’m okay, just about. I know if we really need help there are food banks about. I’ve just spent £100 on shopping and another £100 on my gas and electric this morning. That’s all my money nearly gone.
“It makes me anxious and it does get you down. It makes me feel depressed but you just have to get on with it. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Another family, who also did not wish to be named, fear they are falling behind on paying their bills as costs continue to rise.
“We’re struggling with everything,” one mum said. “When you go shopping, you used to come home with about eight or nine bags. Now, you have about two or three bags.
“You fall behind with one bill to pay another. I struggle with really bad depression anyway so it can impact [my mental health].
“We’re managing to eat, but you’re living on chips, aren’t you? You’re not living on luxury food. When is it going to get better?”
Michael Bryne lives alone in Miles Platting. The 75-year-old has noticed an increase in his shopping bills every time he goes to the supermarket.
“It’s bad,” he said. “I got a bit of help from the government, that was a big help. Every time you go to the supermarket, it’s gone up. And it’s not a penny or a twopence, it’s 20 or 30p.
“Everything is going up. It’s a worry because I don’t know when it’s going to stop.”
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