But with food and energy costs continuing to rise, many believe that this is simply not enough to help the poorest in the UK.The number of people applying for Universal Credit in Greater Manchester has almost doubled in two years. There are families who break the edge of the cliff, sacrificing basic necessities just to stay alive.
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As the cost of living rises the fastest in 30 years, MEN’s Paige Oldfield spoke to Oldham residents about their concerns for the future.
Holding a polystyrene box, Julie Nuttall sits down to eat in Oldham city center. “This is our daily food,” she says, pointing to her jacket. “We may have a sandwich later, but this is our main meal.”
It’s a hot March morning and the smell of baked potatoes fills the air. For Julie and Sean’s nephew, this food truck is a lifeline. It means that they can afford to eat a proper meal today.
“We were walking Oldham “trying to get the cheapest food we can,” says the 59-year-old. “We get children’s portions.”
Julie takes care of her nephew Shaun full time (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Like thousands of other families in the greater Manchester area, Julie faces the most difficult battle as the cost of living crisis cripples the country. A full-time caregiver for her disabled nephew is a concern that keeps her awake at night.
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“We do a lot of camping, we use an outdoor barbecue,” said Julie, who lives in Hollins. Manchester Evening News. “We will have to cook on the barbecue just to limit it.
“We have been given our bill for the next 12 months which has tripled in size. We have turned off the heating now, so if it gets cold, we spread it.
“I know we have to pay and move on. But we have to reduce usage and reduce showers. We have a shower room for the disabled which will make it difficult.
“We had to reduce and prices go back, so we have to compensate in some way. Do you eat or warm up? This is the scenario.
A food truck in downtown Oldham (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“It simply came to our notice then. We could go to the community and come here and not worry about what we had to eat. Go to bed and worry about what tomorrow will be like.
Barbara Szwandt is standing outside a cafe with her daughter Janet. When asked about the cost of living the crisis, a worried look falls on her face.
The 70-year-old gets a pension but the money goes to rent and bills. Her financial situation once became so bleak that she had to beg people for warm clothes.
“I find it difficult to get a coat and clothes,” he says. “I went to ask if people have clothes for spare parts. I do not like to beg and sometimes it is difficult to do so.
“I had to get a coat instead of shopping. I have to ask my daughter if she has any leftover shoes.”
Barbara Szwandt had to beg for warm clothes (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Barbara, who lives in Oldham, says she can only afford basic foods, such as bread, milk and potatoes. Her total grocery store was about 8 £. Now, it claims to cost around λί 20.
“It’s difficult when you get 5 335 a fortnight for a pension, then you have to pay rent,” he continues. “She is not going anywhere. There is nowhere for anyone to talk to anyone and see what help there is.
“I have lost touch with younger age groups; I have to rely on my daughter to do things for me. I can not make a proper shop.
“What I was getting cost me about £ 8, now it costs £ 20. “Basically it’s just bread, milk and potatoes.”
Barbara Szwandt, 70 (Image: Manchester Evening News)
The mother of four Janet Szwandt gently shakes her three-year-old in his stroller. The 37-year-old is caring for four children, including TG’s autistic son.
Money is so tight at the moment that she can not afford to pay for school trips – something that makes her feel like a “bad mom”.
“It’s horrible; you feel like an emotional train wreck,” he says. “You get up and you do not know if you will have enough to survive next week.
“We had to cut down on everyday things like going to the center. There is nothing that you can do about it.
Oldham City Center (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“We had to reduce the monthly store because we do not have the financial capacity to do so and it costs us a fortune. You need to budget what you need to spend to survive. It has gone from 8 108 a month to £ 250. My daughter wants to go on school trips and I can not afford it.
“We can not take the bus, we have to walk. It is so stupid that we have to live like this. It even affects children because they can not understand why they can not have basic things. They can not have them because it is very dear. they can have a pocket money.
Janet Szwandt with her three-year-old son TJ Booth (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“It just makes you feel bad as a mom because you can not afford to give them what they want. You can not make them happy.”
Janet has also been forced to rely on food banks recently. “I used food banks over and over and took them out because I could survive in monthly stores,” he added.
“But I noticed the money I had left over, we do not have it anymore. We have nothing left to give up. It is very difficult to have a child with a disability. Sometimes we put the heating in a room and we all sit in there.
Janet Szwandt (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Even retirees have a hard time because I see how much my mom struggles as much as I do. My son never went to a play center and he is autistic – I just can’t afford to do it.”
Terrance Ball, from Chadderton, is claiming Universal Credit for disability. After paying his bills, he says he is “lucky” if he’s more than £ 10.
“It’s difficult, it’s very difficult,” said the 57-year-old. “I have to rob Peter to pay Paul. I have to borrow money from friends.
“Am I stressed? I’m in financial difficulties that I can not afford and I’m a vulnerable adult. I have to limit the necessities.
“I’m diabetic and I’m addicted to insulin. I can not pay for the food I need. I have to borrow my boyfriend. It’s very difficult. Sometimes my wife and I sit on the couch and we both cry.”
Terrance Ball (Picture: Paige Oldfield)
Oldham currently has the highest percentage of the population over 16 in Universal Credit in Greater Manchester, according to new data. There are currently 2,101 people claiming the benefit in Oldham Town North, or 37 percent.
Across the Manchester area, 308,570 people received Universal Credit in February – 13.6 percent of people aged 16 and over across the region. The number has increased from 169,063 in February 2020.
“The government is not paying a penny for us. It is not fair.” I’m not happy. I am satisfied. “But I would rather be happy.”
Many people in the wider Manchester are struggling with the cost of living (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“We feel like we exist. We can not go out on a night out, we can not afford a vacation – not even for a few days.
“We have to take care of ourselves and we have a little girl that we have to take care of. It’s like living in the 1800s. I have PTSD and a lot of underlying diseases. I have to eat and I have to take my medicine and it ‘s hard to take. “After paying my bills, I am lucky if I have more than 10 pounds left.”
Michael Brown, also from Oldham, says he is “just” dealing with dramatic price increases – although it is something that worries him.
He said to MEN noticed a rise in his fortnightly shop. “My electricity has gone up 15 £ a month and my central heating is 25,,” he says. “I just want to face it.
Oldham Resident Michael Brown (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“I call myself stressful anyway, so I’m worried about that. It will get worse. I spent 36 £ on a fortnight of shopping in Iceland.
“Last time it was 48 £ for the exact same things. It’s 40p here and 50p there, but it all adds up. “
Mark Webster takes a break on a bench as the sun sets in Oldham city center. While he says his family is financially stable, he has found himself working overtime to keep it that way.
Mark Webster (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“It’s a concern for me. A few weeks ago I received an email from my energy provider. My bills increase by 4 1,400 in total, in addition to what I pay. “It’s unbelievable,” said the 51-year-old.
“I knew it would come, but I did not think it would be so big. I do not think I can dispute it.” I work overtime to pay for things. Luckily my wife works too, we are not as bad as other people.
“The only thought I can hope for is that Labor will come in next time. We are frugal anyway, but I think what I’m doing is working harder to pay for things and having to work extra days to make ends meet.
Mark Webster (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“I have three children and one will go to university this year, so we have this extra cost. I’m worried about the cost of things for the next two years. I’m worried about how difficult it will be for them to buy houses and I do not know how they will save “For an advance. That’s why I encourage them to go to university and find a decent job.”
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