Cost of living crisis continues with prices still climbing ahead of Spring Statement

By Jayden Whitworth

Families across Leicestershire are feeling the devastating impact of the cost-of-living crisis, as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, ahead of announcing his Spring Statement today(WED,MARCH23) warns that Russian sanctions will also be felt by British people.

Prices are soaring, with fuel, energy and food costs increasing, leaving many people struggling to make ends meet. 

The economy has been left reeling from a difficult few years with both Covid-19 and Brexit taking its toll.

On top of this, the Russian sanctions that have arisen as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, are set to inflate prices even more.

With the economy trying to recover the prices are reaching extortionate levels.

Petrol has risen to more than 170p a litre in places and energy bills have increased by up to 50 per cent.

This has left people worried as to whether they will be able to afford basic necessities which might put foodbanks and places of support under increased pressure.

Jeff Adems, trustee at Leicester South Foodbank, said: “I expect demand to go up quite a lot.

“Over the last couple of years, Covid-19 has forced demand up, but with cost of fuel and prices going up, we can expect it to get very busy over the next couple of months.

“I can’t see it being worse than Covid if I’m honest.

“Covid was quite a unique set of events, so I don’t think the cost-of-living crisis will be worse, no.”

The Chancellor is set to deliver his Spring Statement to the House of Commons today(WED,MARCH23). 

One of the measures that could be introduced is a cut to fuel duty, reducing the cost of petrol by 5p per litre.

Sunak told BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: “I want to be honest with people that it’s not going to be easy.

“I wish government could solve absolutely every problem and that I could fully protect people against all the challenges that lie ahead. 

“I can’t do that, but what I would say is I will stand by them in the same way that I have done in the past couple of years.”

Jeff added: “It’s not my job to worry about prices going up. 

“I haven’t got any control over that; I just have to deal with the consequences.”