THE CEO of Citizens Advice North Yorkshire has warned that the number of residents using its service has significantly increased amid the rise in the cost-of-living.
A spokesperson for Citizens Advice North Yorkshire told the Gazette & Herald that over the last three months in the Thirsk and Malton constituency the service has seen a 28 per cent increase in people needing support with energy – the top cost of living issue in the area.
In the last three months, the spokesperson also said there had been a 38 per cent increase in people in the constitency requiring charitable support (compared to the same period last year), which they said “usually means support for foodbank assistance”.
“Alarmingly 68 per cent of these clients reported a disability or long-term health condition,” they added.
'320 per cent rise in people needing support'
Carol Shreeve, CEO of Citizens Advice North Yorkshire, said the service is seeing an “unprecedented amount of households” currently needing support, with many using the services for the first time.
She said: “In the last quarter we saw a 320 per cent rise in people needing support with energy bills compared to the same period in 2020.”
Ms Shreeve added that Citizens Advice’s Warm and Well in North Yorkshire project - funded by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) - to support people in fuel poverty and that live in cold or damp homes has also seen a “huge increase” in people needing support across the county.
Rural advice van
Now, Citizens Advice is working to support rural communities it is “particularly worried about” with the rural advice van.
The van comes with experienced advisers who can give advice and information to people who may struggle to get into our offices or talk over the phone - and has visited Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering this month (February).
“We want people in the Ryedale district to know we are here for them during these difficult times,” said Ms Shreeve.
“I would encourage anyone who is struggling to contact our free adviceline for free, impartial and confidential advice as soon as possible.”
Support from North Yorkshire County Council
To support residents during the cost-of-living crisis NYCC has announced the third phase of the Household Support Fund, working alongside borough and district councils to help those most in need.
The scheme provides a one-off payment in supermarket e-vouchers for up to £325 to help people pay for food and other essentials.
A full list of cost-of-living help available from NYCC is outlined on the council’s ‘Cost-of-living support’ webpage.
NYCC’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, who is also the executive member for finance, said: “We are very much aware of the pressures that even more people are now experiencing with the increasing costs of food, fuel and other essential items, and we are committed to ensuring that help is focussed on those who need it most.”
Kevin Hollinrake MP
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, previously told the Gazette & Herald: “I completely understand the concern among Ryedale residents regarding energy prices.”
The Conservative MP said that Europe has endured “unprecedented pressures on living costs” following the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and “it is only fair” that companies which have made “genuine windfall profits” as a result of the fallout of the war in Ukraine contribute more to fund the Government’s cost of living support.
Mr Hollinrake went on to say that the Government introduced the Energy Profits Levy from May 26, 2022, which was increased from 25 to 35 per cent by the Chancellor at the Autumn Statement – meaning oil and gas producers operating on the UK continental shelf are subject to a tax rate of 75 per cent on their profits, “with certain allowances for investment”.
Taken together with the Electricity Generator Levy, he said the measures will raise “£14 billion this year and £52 billion over the next six years”.
“I will continue to support constituents and local business in every way I can, in both my role as constituency MP and BEIS Minister,” he added.
- For free, independent, and confidential support or advice from Citizens Advice North Yorkshire, call their freephone adviceline Monday to Friday 9 am to 4.30pm on 0808 278 7900 or by visiting https://www.cany.org.uk/
- Citizens Advice Malton is open for drop in (no appointment needed) on Wednesday's: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm and Thursday's: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm
- If you would like to find out where the Rural Advice Van is visiting next across Ryedale visit https://www.cany.org.uk/contact/visit-us/
- If you are struggling with energy bills or living in a cold or damp home, you can speak to an energy specialist at Warm and Well in North Yorkshire on 01609 767 555 or visit https://www.warmandwell.org.uk/
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