Turn2us

Despite living in one of the world’s richest countries, the research reveals that two in every five families are struggling on incomes that do not cover a minimum standard of living.

That this is still happening in 2015 is something we should all be concerned about.

The gap between the money families have and the costs they need to cover is getting wider. Families are finding it increasingly tough to bridge this gap, turning to extreme methods such as going hungry, racking up debt or risking their heath by living in cold homes. This is sadly not surprising.

At Turn2us we found that a huge 78 per cent of families struggled with their energy bills in the last year while three out of four families said cold homes were harming the health of their children.

One in six families are even considering payday loans which will only exacerbate these problems.

As wages continue to fall, the rising cost of living shows no signs of slowing. As families find themselves in desperate situations and go without the basic essentials they risk becoming cut off from the rest of society.

We launched our Cut out the Cold campaign this month to reach families that need help so they can access financial support.

However, we need to see a concerted effort by all organisations that can provide practical help in tackling fuel poverty. It is vital that those who need help now are not trapped in an endless cycle of hardship.

Simon Hopkins

Chief executive

Turn2us