“Shockingly low incomes” leaving people in Nuneaton hungry, without the basics and fearing debt collectors.
One and a half million people in the West Midlands say they don't have enough to live on as part of a new report from Christians Against Poverty
- Charity's clients on average are £273 a month short of what they need to be able to cover their basics such as food, energy bills and rent
- “I can't do this anymore”, “it's like being on a never ending treadmill” - the words of those who don’t have enough to live on
- People in Nuneaton encouraged to join the fight against poverty at: org/campaign
Chronically low incomes are devastating people’s lives according to the latest report by free debt advice and money coaching charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
CAP’s latest polling with YouGov shows 1.5 million (26%) adults who live in the West Midlands say they currently have a deficit budget*, which means their income doesn’t cover their basic essentials.
Christians Against Poverty’s Nuneaton debt centre, Katie Grimsley Debt Manager , says, “This new report shows the brutal reality of living on a shockingly low income and how easy it can be to fall into debt.
“Whether it’s caring for a loved one, ill-health or a lack of suitable work opportunities, many people’s circumstances mean they have no or limited options to increase their income.
“A lot of local debt and poverty is hidden behind closed doors. There are individuals and families in our community who have empty fridges and are going hungry, living without the basics, and keeping their curtains closed out of fear of debt collectors.
“At MCBC, we are working in partnership with the charity Christians Against Poverty to offer free debt advice and free money coaching. Alongside other local churches, we also offer a range of practical and holistic support.
“Poverty can be tackled. CAP has helped thousands of people to go debt free, improve their financial situations, and increase their skills and confidence to get back into work.
“This isn’t an impossible mission but in order to tackle the problem on a wider scale we need to see positive changes to systems in our society. To make that happen we need more people to join our campaign against poverty.
“If, like us, you're passionate about seeing people helped out of poverty you can join CAP’s campaign group for free at capuk.org/campaign.”
People who would like to support the MCBC work to help local people can email Katie Grimsley at katiegrimsley@capuk.org to make a donation.
Contact:
Local contact: Katie Grimsley mobile 07563312211. Work days are Wednesday ,Thursday and Friday 09.00-15.00
*CAP has chosen to align with Money & Pensions Services’ definition of deficit budgets. A CAP client with a deficit budget is one who, after going through a debt advice journey that has included a financial statement and the support that CAP provides, still has income that is less than their essential outgoings. By ‘essential outgoings’ we are referring to necessary costs of living and ongoing priority bill payments.
Christians Against Poverty’s clients with deficit budgets face a staggering £273 monthly shortfall on average. This stat is taken from CAP data covering the three month period of May, June and July 2024.
YouGov polling:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2070 adults, including 176 from the West Midlands. Fieldwork was undertaken between 5th - 6th June 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Population figures have been calculated using ONS mid-year UK adult population estimates for 2021 of 53,188,204 with 5,950,800 in the West Midlands.