Struggling Leeds residents have shared their battle to make ends meet this Christmas as they battle the rising cost of living crisis and problems with strikes and Universal Credit.
Wayne Hawes, 40, only managed to get presents for his kids, seven and 14, this year by picking them up from a charity hand-out event at St Richard’s Church in Seacroft.
The former bricklayer who receives Universal Credit has been “struggling big time”. He had to ask his family to give him food as he can’t afford to buy it for himself. This included an assortment of crisps and breaded chicken fillets which he was carrying home in a plastic bag.
