Cost-of-living prevails, with 14,000 in Stevenage supported by money charity last year
The local Citizens Advice Bureau records an increase in the number of residents seeking support
Citizens Advice Stevenage has reported a sharp increase in the number of people seeking help throughout 2024, with demand reaching record levels early in the year.
Melanie Bel Haj, Deputy CEO of Citizens Advice Stevenage, revealed that over 14,000 individuals turned to their services last year, reflecting the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis on local residents.
“We supported over 14,000 people just in Stevenage alone, and we're continuing to see people coming to us for support with cost-of-living related issues,” Ms Bel Haj said.
The first months of 2024 were particularly challenging, with January seeing a significant surge in demand.
“In January 2024, the number of people that we helped with these issues, it reached record levels,” she noted.
Rising energy prices and increasing private rents were major contributors to the spike, driving more individuals to seek assistance for essentials such as food and energy costs.
Ms Bel Haj highlighted the growing reliance on food banks and charitable support in the area, and said: “We’ve seen locally within Stevenage a 107 percent increase in people seeking charitable support and referrals to food banks.
"That’s a huge increase on the previous year’s data and just demonstrates how many people are still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.”
Key Concerns for 2024
Debt, housing, and disability benefits emerged as the primary concerns for those seeking help, with the cost-of-living crisis disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities.
“Help for disability benefits continues to be our most in-demand issue. People who have long-term health conditions or disabilities are disproportionately affected by cost-of-living related issues,” Ms Bel Haj explained.
Despite these challenges, Citizens Advice Stevenage remains committed to providing assistance to all clients.
“Our approach is to help people that come to us, to help them find a way forward with their problems,” she said.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Ms Bel Haj expressed concern that the high demand for their services could continue or even increase.
While acknowledging government initiatives such as the extension of the Household Support Fund, she stressed that further action is needed, particularly around housing and energy costs.
“There have been measures put in place by the government in terms of extending the Household Support Fund and changing the deductions that are made from Universal Credit to try and make things easier for people,” she said.
However, she warned: “People who are privately renting and their rents aren’t being covered fully by the local housing allowance, that’s still something that needs addressing. Also, people still need help with their energy bills.”
Ms Bel Haj noted that many households remain in negative budgets, meaning their monthly income does not cover essential living costs.
This financial strain could lead to even greater reliance on organisations like Citizens Advice.