Rising prices and wages land councils with their own cost-of-living crisis

Wigan councillor Nazia Rehman: ‘It will be a disaster if community centres go: people rely on them and they’re so valued.’ Photograph: Richard Saker/the Observer

Inflation is weighing on Nazia Rehman’s mind. Not only has the Wigan councillor been approached by scores of residents who can’t afford their energy bills, but some of the town’s community centres – tasked with helping the very same people – now face similar problems.

“They’re saying they’re not sustainable any more because of the risk they can’t afford their expenses,” she says. “They’re our eyes and ears: people use them and they’re so valued by our community. It would be a disaster if they go.”