Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement has been criticised by experts who warn 1.3million Brits, including half a million children, will be sent into poverty.
Around 22 million households will see their energy bills soar in the coming weeks. Average energy bills will rise by £693 a year when the price cap is changed on April 1. In the same week, National Insurance will rise from 12% to 13.25%, the student loans repayment threshold will freeze and record inflation is set to hit grocery bills.
The ECHO asked people in the city for their views on the crisis. Sarah Lovelock, owner of Lovelock's café in the city centre, shared her concerns with us from a business perspective, she told the ECHO: "I am very nervous, everyone is reporting on it. I know it is happening and I can see the prices increasing which is quite terrifying."
