An estimated 32,500 families in Bolton and Bury are in serious financial difficulties as energy and fuel costs soar and wages stagnate, a Citizen’s Advice chief has said. Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that nationally, wages, adjusted for inflation for the average worker have dropped by 3.7 er cent, in the past year.
At the same time, inflation is expected to hit 12 per cent and average energy bills are set to rise to more than £300 per month for an average household this autumn. Research conducted by Bristol University and Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust has found that rising prices have pushed one in six households, 32,500 in Bury and Bolton into ‘serious financial difficulties’.
Kevin Peel, a councillor in Bury who is also a trustee of Citizens Advice for Bolton and Bury is calling on residents of Bolton and Bury to sign an open letter to the five MPs across the two towns seeking extra help for those most in need across the two boroughs this winter. The campaign calls on the government to double the Household Support Fund from £500 million to £1 billion this winter.
