UK inflation figures do little to calm cost-of-living fears

CGTN Europe

Inflation in the UK has risen for the second month in a row, to 2.6%. However, it’s less than the 3% rise that was predicted.  But as winter tightens its grip, many people continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis.   Kitty Logan Reports   #UK #Inflation #CostOfLiving

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00:00Winter is peak time for food banks and with a number of people in need close to record highs,

00:07the One Can Trust is working hard to ensure no one misses out on meals.

00:13It's very full at the moment. We've had a very good harvest actually.

00:17The local community has supported us. It's been amazing actually.

00:20The charity reaches 500 people a week in South Buckinghamshire.

00:24It's everyday items ranging from vegetables to cereals to beans to everything that you could possibly want.

00:30Three meals a day for a week, that's what we pack in our parcels.

00:33Much of this is thanks to community donations and a team of volunteers packing parcels,

00:39meeting a variety of needs and dietary requirements.

00:42We provide emergency food support for up to four weeks and then beyond that if somebody requires further support

00:49we would repeat the cycle for as many times as necessary.

00:52The UK is a wealthy country but its welfare system doesn't cover all needs

00:58and some people have insecure income or low stagnant wages.

01:02The cost of living crisis essentially comes from high housing, fuel and food costs.

01:08It's been going on for so long now that many are accumulating serious debt

01:12and the only way to manage is with help.

01:15The Trussell Trust is a national anti-poverty charity.

01:19It's handed out over 1.4 million emergency food parcels in the last six months.

01:25Hunger in the UK is not a problem about access to food, it's very much an income problem.

01:3286% of people seeking support from food banks in the Trussell community are on incomes so low

01:42that they're unable to afford to eat and stay warm and clean at the same time.

01:47Campaigners say this level of food poverty can't continue.

01:51We need to see change. There are appalling levels of hunger and hardship in our communities right across the UK

01:58and that's not something that we want to accept because we know change is possible.

02:03And with Christmas coming, many depend on the kindness of others.

02:07So they're going to get some Christmas puddings and mince pies and some chocolates and nuts and all sorts of lovely things

02:13because numbers will rise and you won't necessarily have money, those families,

02:17to put all those extra lovely goodies on the table for their families.

02:20So hopefully we can do that for people.

02:22The support is about more than just food, with advice and words of comfort on offer too.

02:28At least for these fortunate families, a food delivery is on its way.

02:33The cupboard's stocked for at least another week.

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