It comes as 5 million households will be forced to spend at least 10 percent of their budget on energy bills after Friday’s price hikes, according to the latest analysis. Business partners Yousef and Lyes, who only gave their first names, said they had to fire one of their baristas as prices rose and entry to their cafes in east London was reduced. “One cylinder of gas was 35 £ – now I’m getting it for 40.,” Yousef, who also owns a food truck, told the Independent. “The chicken I used to get at 35 £ is now 50 £. It hits everyone. I have been here for three years and you feel for people. People want something not expensive, but it is difficult for us to keep it. “How do we survive? It’s a mess. ” (is provided) Ofgem, which regulates the UK gas and electricity markets, announced on 3 February that the energy price cap – designed to prevent businesses from making excessive profits – would be raised by around 22 million customers by on April 1st. The regulator has estimated that the average household with defaulted bills paying by direct debit will see an increase of 3 693 1. to 97 1,971 £ per year for gas and electricity. There will be an increase of £ 708 from £ 1,309 to £ 2,017 per year for the average prepaid customer. Ofgem said the increase was “driven by record increases in world gas prices over the past six months”. Rifat Sakil, a mother of three, said her bank account is in the red every month and she is forced to borrow money from friends to cover the deficit. “When you think about money for rent, electricity and the extra charge of children, then what option is there than to borrow?” said the East Londoner. The 35-year-old is not working at the moment and depends on her husband who works at Tesco. “A person’s income, how can this balance everything?” Mrs. Sakil has to sacrifice treats for her children to make ends meet. “I know when I get them out my kids will want to go to McDonald’s and eat out, but we can no longer afford this life,” he said. “Sometimes I take them to Iceland and buy them all ice cream for 1 £ just to make them happy. “The government must first think about how to fix the profit problems before increasing other accounts.” Rifat Sakil is forced to borrow money from friends to cover bills (Is provided) Harry Bennham, a 25-year-old school principal, saw the cost-of-living crisis hampering his plans to move to a better home, as rising gas prices meant he could no longer pay the rent. “Meals are more expensive as we go out. Food is more expensive. “My energy has doubled, from 40 £ to 80. Overnight,” Benhem told The Independent. “Now I have to find an extra 40 ‘. I have to cut them all to make ends meet. I can not go out I have to buy naked basic food and drinks without delicacies, days out, meals, or see friends, unless it is a walk in the park “It’s very restrictive. I hope it improves, but I can not see it going anywhere soon. “ Harry Benem no longer has the money to move to a better home (Is provided) In addition to rising energy bills, VAT has risen to 20%, while national insurance and city tax will also rise later this month, putting further pressure on distressed families. Fernanda Rodrigues, a mother of three from east London, said the government did not care about the poorest people in society and feared she might have to return to Portugal if things got worse. “Everyone knows it’s bad. “It’s too much,” Rodrigues said. Unmarried mom Fernanda Rodrigues says she could return to Portugal if the cost of living crisis worsens (is provided) “We have to find a way to survive. I can not be in a situation where I do not have food for my children. “I can not suffer in the United Kingdom, I have three children.” Meanwhile, the owner of the Bablu barber shop, who only gave his first name, said that “there is no happiness” after various price increases. “Everything is over, the rent is over, the electricity has gone up,” said the 43-year-old. “Businesses have fallen, there is a lot of stress here.” When asked how he manages to cope with the rising cost of food, he said: “Sometimes I eat, sometimes I do not.” He added that he can not afford to go to the food bank because he has no one to cover him and does not want to risk losing customers. Bablu said he has seen a drop in customers since the cost-of-living crisis began (Is provided) Despite criticism of his spring statement from the opposition, charities and some Tory MPs, Rees Sunak told the BBC Newscast podcast on Thursday that he remained “confident in what we did” to support the people who are fighting with the increase in bills. Mr Sunak said: “I know it’s difficult for people. “We are facing a very difficult situation with the price of things going up and I want to do what I can to improve some of it – but I am also honest with people that we can not improve everything, unfortunately.” Mr Sunak acknowledged that some of the moves he was making were “certainly unpopular”, adding: “But they are responsible and they will help us in the long run and I am not going to deviate from that just for the sake of short-term popularity. profit.”
