People in Nottingham have spoken out about how they are “fearful” ahead of OFGEM announcing the latest rise in the energy price cap later this week. People have admitted they are reliant on working two jobs to make ends meet in light of the cost of living crisis.
OFGEM is the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets. On Friday, August 26, they will be announcing how much more gas and electricity bills are set to go up. The energy price cap is expected to jump a further £1,582 from October to £3,553 a year. It would mark an increase of 80 percent.
Previously, Conservative MP Rishi Sunak announced as former Chancellor of the Exchequer that £450 will go to all UK households to help with the soaring price of gas and electricity this autumn. However, people in Sherwood think more should be done to help many people who “can just about cope.”
Read More: 144,000 Nottinghamshire households in line for £650 cost of living payment
People spoke to Nottinghamshire Live about how the cost of living is currently affecting them. Aiden Simmons, 25, is fearful that, if he can’t get a second job, he may not be able to afford his bills.
Aiden, who works in retail, and lives in Sherwood, said: “In my job contract, they won’t let me work a second job because of the amount of hours I do but even working full time, I find myself having not a lot of money left over and my point is: if I’m struggling now, what will October look like?”
Aiden said he is more fortunate than most people as he is only currently responsible for himself. He continued and said: “I only have to look after me, I don’t have kids, I pay my own rent and my own bills but people with families must be at breaking point. I can just about cope but there’ll be people who can’t cope at all.”
Elaine Marshall, 53 is reliant on two jobs, as both a carer and a dinner lady. The Sherwood resident explained how she’s seen an increase in her shopping. She said: “I’ve got two jobs, I need two jobs. With my shopping, I’ve been buying the same things and my bill has gone up £20 more, I’m not buying anything different.”
When asked how she’s feeling about the OFGEM announcement, Elaine said that she’s “dreading it”. Elaine suffers with her anaemia which can worsen for people in the winter months.
Elaine continued and said: “I think they [the government] should be giving out monthly payments to help people." She added: “People will be put in situations where they die from malnutrition, it’s a shoddy affair and it will only get worse.”
This year, Nottingham City Council has been allocated £3,556,933 in the latest Government Household Support Fund (HSF), which aims to support local residents with rising household costs. The council, governed by guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions, can choose how to assign this funding to residents. The authority recently outlined how it will distribute financial support through rebate schemes.
Sian Ann, 23, doesn't think that all households should be eligible for £450. The barmaid, who lives in the city centre, works part time while studying.
Sian said: “Why do people earning quadruple the amount that the average person earns need an extra £450? To me, the rich obviously shouldn’t be villainised for being rich, we all want to be rich but let's not forget those who aren't, which let's face it is a lot of people including me.”
She continued and said “I’m originally from London and, luckily after university next year, I can live back in my family home but not every person has that and will have to fend for themselves. Food’s rising, fuel’s rising and bills are rising. It's a lot for everyone.”
Speaking previously, Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome has said: "Make no mistake, the lifting of the energy price cap will spell financial ruin for millions of people and the lack of serious action from the Conservative government to prevent this situation is catastrophically irresponsible. Labour would freeze energy prices, saving families £1,000 this winter – the government must commit to doing the same.
“It cannot be right that while working people in Nottingham East face devastating bills, energy companies are paying out billions to their shareholders. So I also want to see our energy system brought back into public ownership - run for the needs of people, not private profit.”
Labour and Co-operative MP for Nottingham North, Alex Norris, added: "The Government’s cost of living crisis is pushing Nottingham people to their limits. We need to stop the energy price increase and to get further support in people’s pocket. Parliament should be recalled immediately to act on this."
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