London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Cost of living: 'Each week, we are fighting to survive'

Cost of living: 'Each week, we are fighting to survive'

A couple say they are "fighting to survive" due to the increasing cost of energy.

Stacey McDonnell and Darren Setford live in Leicester and are full-time carers for family members.

They say that by the time they have paid their £700 a month rent, there is not a lot to spare.

The Clockwise Credit Union, which provides support to people struggling to manage their finances, has advised struggling families to ask for help.


'Genuinely worried'


The couple live with their two daughters. Mr Setford gave up his job as a chef to care for his brother and Ms McDonnell is also a full-time carer.

They get £69 a week each in carers' allowance, £500 each month in housing benefit, plus child benefit and child tax credits as part of their monthly Universal Credit payment.

They said that in the past couple of months, gas and electric bills have gone up from just under £60 a month to around £100.

Ms McDonnell said: "I look every day on my smart meter and even when I've just got the kitchen light on, I can see obviously see it on the meter, and you can see it slowly depleting."

The family keep an eye on their meter to watch their energy usage


Mr Setford said: "We're having to cut down a lot, especially on our gas and electric, to make sure we can afford food because food has gone up as well.

"It's hitting all aspects of the pocket at the moment.

"We're definitely going to feel the pinch at Christmas and it's hard to try to explain that to the children - and we're probably not the only ones in that situation.

"We try and get as much help as we can, like the Household Support Fund and the council tax rebate.

"And it helps, it does help. But it's still not enough.

"Each week we are fighting to survive really. Definitely week by week. Sometimes day by day."


'Extra help'


Emma Franklin-Keogh, from the Clockwise Credit Union in Leicester, said: "People are genuinely worried out there and looking for that kind of support - whether it be with their finances, where they can get food from.

"It is a very regular occurrence that people are asking for some help now."

She advised struggling households to check what help their energy providers might offer.

"There are lots of trusts out there - particularly from the major energy providers - for extra help with your bills," she said.

"If you need help, make sure you're getting out there and getting the help you need. Just raise your voice and speak to someone."

People are also being advised to check whether they are owed council tax rebates, which are being given to people who are in council tax bands A-D.

Around £270m has been handed out this year in council tax rebates across the East Midlands.

A further £8m, allocated to councils to be handed out as "discretionary payments" to those in need, is to be paid out by the end of November.

About £5m of this has not been spent, with some councils saying it has been a challenge to track down people who are eligible.


Sarah Russell, deputy mayor at Leicester City Council - where 96% of the allocation has been paid out, said: "We're hoping the payments will go a small way towards helping. We're looking at a number of other things that we can do.

"But, as ever this winter, more help really is needed by the government for those that are struggling to make ends meet."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
×