THE number of people across Bradford in food or energy crisis and seeking help has risen significantly in the last few months.
Citizen’s Advice Bradford and Airedale received double the number of requests for charitable or foodbank support in the first four months of this year, compared to two years ago.
In addition, the charity saw a 29 per cent increase in the first three months of this year when it came to support around paying energy bills, compared to the same time last year.
READ MORE: Universal Credit numbers in Bradford hit an all-time high
Richard Wilkinson, chief executive of Citizen’s Advice Bradford and Airedale told the Telegraph & Argus that the organisation had received requests for support from people living in areas such as Craven, Ilkley and Bingley, for the first time.
He said: “Our data is showing the number of people seeking our support is significantly higher than this time last year, and the year before that.
“What we are seeing is the cumulative effect of this ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“It means that more people are accessing us to get help on things such as crisis food support and energy debt issues.”
It comes as research suggests that almost two million Britons skip meals for a whole day three times a month due to the rising cost of living.
A YouGov poll of more than 6,000 people also found 9.6 million Britons live in households classed as in “serious financial difficulties”.
Among this group, 61 per cent of households said they could not always keep their home warm and comfortable in the last six months.
Similar numbers said they were cutting back on social interaction with friends and family (64 per cent) and are participating less in hobbies and pastimes (61 per cent).
Among those in serious difficulty, 46 per cent of people are putting off dental treatments due to cost while 19 per cent are doing the same.
Meanwhile, almost a fifth of those in serious financial difficulties are avoiding doctor’s appointments while 18 per cent cannot afford medical equipment or medication.
In addition 27 per cent say money worries are making their physical health worse.
People also reported cutting back on takeaways and holidays as well as shopping at cheaper supermarkets.
Respondents said cost-cutting is the “new normal”, with just 26 per cent of people saying they had not tried to save money recently.
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