Struggling Families in Manchester to Receive £300 Payment Amid Rising Costs
The cost of living crisis in Manchester has left many families struggling to make ends meet. However, there is some relief on the horizon as over 400,000 struggling households in Greater Manchester are set to receive a direct payment of £300. This financial assistance aims to help alleviate the burden of rising costs and provide some respite for families in need.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that households on means-tested benefits will automatically receive the payment between October 31 and November 19. This initiative will provide a total funding of over £2.4 billion to families across the UK. In Greater Manchester alone, £127 million will be distributed among 423,700 households.
One such family feeling the strain is William McCartney, a 67-year-old man living in Heywood. He had once been offered the opportunity to move to Australia for work, promising a fresh start and new opportunities. Unfortunately, due to unexpected circumstances, he and his wife had to stay in the UK. Now, they face the challenge of keeping up with the rising costs of living, a regret that William carries with him every day.
“At the end of the month, you’ve either got money to pay for bills or rent, William expressed. That’s all we can afford; that’s how bad it gets. It makes you feel ashamed. I had a heart attack and sepsis and had to finish work early. That’s the reason we’re in this situation. Any savings we had, they’ve all gone… it’s a disaster to be honest.
To cope with their financial situation, William and his wife made the decision to switch to a prepayment meter. Despite their efforts, they struggle to make their pension cover their monthly expenses. The rising costs not only affect necessary expenses, such as bills and rent, but also make it difficult for them to enjoy a decent standard of living.
The upcoming £300 payment will provide welcome relief to families like William’s. In Manchester alone, over 97,100 households are eligible for this support, amounting to more than £29 million in financial aid. Nearly half of all households in the city will benefit from this payment.
While this payment offers temporary respite, the underlying concern remains. Ki Valentine, a resident of Middleton, worries that if desperate situations force people into dire circumstances, crime rates could escalate. She shares her concern, stating, If people aren’t eating because they can’t afford to, we will behave like animals. Crime is going to go up. People will turn desperate and desperation will kick in.
Manchester residents are grappling with the reality of rising costs. Basic essentials become more expensive, forcing families to cut back on branded products and make difficult choices. The 62-year-old widow, who preferred to remain anonymous, shares her experience: We’ve had to cut back on branded foods. Our bills have doubled… It’s always a worry there in the back of the mind. [The future] is looking pretty scary to be honest.
Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions secretary, emphasizes the importance of tackling inflation to boost bank balances. Additional support, such as the Cost of Living payment, helps cushion vulnerable households from the impact of high prices. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, acknowledges the necessity of supporting the most vulnerable in society during these challenging times.
As Manchester faces the daunting effects of rising costs, the immediate relief provided by the £300 payment aims to alleviate the burden for struggling families. However, long-term solutions are needed to address the underlying issues and ensure a more sustainable and affordable cost of living for all residents.
