Crisis support has been delivered every 30 seconds by Citizens Advice this year, research has revealed.
According to the charity, crisis support such as foodbank referrals or charitable grants has been provided for over 51,000 people so far, with people’s debt reaching ‘record levels’.
The charity has said that cost-of-living struggles are continuing to impact debt, while the upcoming increases in household bills like council tax and water next month ‘loom’.
People’s average debt had increased by 12% since last year, the analysis found, with those most likely to reach out for help being renters, disabled people and single parents.
Furthermore, a total of 175,000 people were found to have sought help when wider cost-of-living problems (e.g. energy bills and council tax arrears) had been accounted for.
The charity has warned that household budgets are ‘buckling’ under pressure and ‘have already gone beyond breaking point’, while the bill rises in April are likely to worsen their debt.
It has called for greater help for crisis households – for example, better-targeted support for those facing the most difficulty with energy bills, as well as assistance with ‘soaring rent costs’ and faster action to help people with debt.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: ‘Every day our advisers see people at breaking point, with nowhere left to cut back and debts spinning out of control. Now, worrying global events look likely to bring fresh challenges to already stretched budgets.’
She added: ‘That is why the Government must give a lifeline to the households struggling the most.’
