Many of Prime Minister Liz Truss’ constituents are not surprised the politician has appeared to be missing in action after the mini-budget caused across the country this week.
The Mirror visited a community centre in her seat of South West Norfolk, where she has been an MP for 12 years. Of the 25 folk who were immersed in daubing at bingo boards, none have met Truss, nor, in most cases, even seen her in person.
When it comes to their battles against exorbitant food and energy bills, which have been barely manageable now for months, many here feel alone. Unsurprising, given their MP is bent on tax cuts for the wealthiest and an economic path that has terrified most.
"I spotted Truss once in the town, about five years ago," shrugs Billie Lawler, 50, a single mum to Erin, nine, as if describing a rare Norfolk fen bird. It would be nice if she came and just talked to us. She does not seem to want to engage with reality and real people."
The PM's announcement on the day of the Queen's death of price caps, meaning an average £2,500 bill for the typical household per year for the next two years, may have slung a safety net under the looming energy bill abyss. But too many remain in the darkness of debt fear. Some, literally so.
The freeze comes when bills are already eye-watering, with energy costs estimated to rise by an -average £500. It also fails to -target the poorest. Chancellor Kwasi -Kwarteng has not confirmed inflation level rises on benefits.
Even a promised £400 handout to all does not go far when people are juggling rising food costs and now spiralling mortgage rates. Billie works in the centre's social supermarket, used by more than 500 families to buy reduced goods sourced largely through donations, wholesalers, and supermarket leftovers.
A widow who lives alone with her daughter, she is struggling like her customers. "We have no lights on in the evening if we watch TV, we make it cinema-style and watch in the dark," she says, trying to laugh. "I avoid the oven. I was gifted an air fryer and I'm so grateful for it.
"I have a slow cooker, I batch-cook and use the microwave. I don't even use the oven once a week." She describes food bills up 30 to 40% and energy so far up 20%, and despite her 30 hours-a-week living wage salary running the shop - she is the only paid staffer - plus Universal Credit, she is often missing breakfast and lunch.
Despite the energy freeze, Billie says: "I'm already thinking, how will I put the heating on? I think we'll go to bed early." Erin's dance and martial arts classes may have to stop.
Billie's frustration is understandable given where we are - this huge community centre houses a lifeline warren of support hubs in the town's Burrell ward, where life expectancy is now below 70 for men, 10 years fewer than the more affluent side of town.
Following the first energy cap rise, food poisoning ran rife when many of its users turned off their fridges. A police community support officer, who is playing bingo, is concerned about reports of loan sharks on the prowl.
Truss, who will face her party at the Tory conference next week, would only need to spend an hour here to understand how those on the lowest wages and benefits are struggling. But she has never visited. In the shop I meet two mums, too embarrassed to be named, who admit to drastic cost-cutting measures.
One sold her fridge freezer and bought a smaller one. The other is drawing up plans to live in one room. She has not used the oven for months. "We'll use heating only in the living room, we've bought heated blankets, we're ready," she says.
"Even with the freeze I'm in the same position." Bernard O'Connor, 57, has abandoned his oven too. He has arthritis and is unable to work. His wife is a carer in a residential home earning less than a supermarket stacker, but she loves her job.
Energy bills have already gone from £25 a week to £40, their Asda shop from £120 a fortnight to £180. "Just pay people decently," he says. "I've never seen Truss. I voted Tory last time but I'm disappointed."
Rachael Nicholls, 59, echoes his call for pay. At 58, her husband works 40 hours a week in a warehouse on £18,000 a year. She suffers Crohn's disease and is unable to work.
Even with her energy bill fixed at £96 a month, their mortgage, fuel and food costs mean she is regularly skipping lunch. "I get more fatigued. Tax cuts won't help my husband," she shrugs.
Her friend Joanne Peters, 54, whose husband, a postman, has been on strike because of a vastly below inflation 2% pay offer, is worried what his lost wages will mean. "They should be made to live on this money and see how they get on," she says of Truss and the Cabinet.
For Billie, the worry has stretched to the running of the supermarket itself. Demand has doubled this year, but food is harder to source. Reasons include supermarkets are having to order more carefully, which leaves less waste, while donations decrease as more people struggle.
Billie even "digs around" for bargains when she does her wholesale orders. The centre is supported by a range of grants and income from businesses operating within it, and it is waived rent by the council and benefits from 100% relief from business rates.
But it is still forced to absorb higher costs. "We are seeing empty shelves, bare fridges," Billie says. Because of this, she feels uncomfortable using the shop. The stories Billie hears are shocking.
Like the mum who shoplifted last Christmas, desperate to give her children presents, the middle-aged woman who is planning to live in a tent on a campsite, and the elderly lady who asked her family to move her bed into the living room with her kettle and microwave to save energy.
Truss, if she made an appearance, could learn a lot here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
