Last Christmas, more than 4,000 people died because they could not afford to heat their homes. Many of those who could largely did so at the expense of food. This is not a sacrifice people should have to make in the 21st century in the UK.
Today in 2023, up to a quarter of the nation’s working families struggle to feed their children. At best, hard-up parents are lining up at food banks and skipping meals — at worst, their children are skipping meals.
Food insecurity continues to rise despite the solutions outlined by this paper, and the meetings we have held with government officials whose inaction over this has been utterly scandalous. Pensioners face rising costs and spiralling debt; parents are forced to ration their babies’ nappies; homelessness levels are up.
One million children are now living in extreme poverty, double the number of five years ago
Our investigation hears from charity workers who say ordinary people are being pushed over the edge by soaring utility bills. Our front page shows images of people queuing for a food bank, snaking round the block as needs and numbers rise. One charity explained how difficult it is for the vulnerable to obtain the benefits they are due, because the Government creates so many loopholes. No wonder they end up losing hope. The system is rigged against them.
As we enter our second winter since the cost of living crisis began, the Standard is launching an emergency Winter Survival Appeal, building on the landmark campaigns before it. Last year, On The Breadline raised £4 million jointly with Comic Relief who once again are our partners and helping get us underway with a £500,000 donation.
With the dire statistics we are reporting — including one million children now living in extreme poverty, double the number of five years ago — it is critical that we match last year’s figure. Your donations will be vitally important: just £10 can cover dinner for one Londoner for an entire month.
The charities we will fund are doing work that quite literally transforms lives, by providing shelter, food, children’s necessities, advocacy, mental health support and counselling. It is both humbling and inspiring to witness. As Christmas comes to London, the most vulnerable in society need our help. Please, support our campaign to ensure no family goes cold or hungry this winter.
Lord Lebedev is the proprietor of the Evening Standard
To make a donation, visit comicrelief.com/wintersurvival
