Cost Of Living

Stories tagged “Cost Of Living.”

30 stories

Scott Jobson, a man with a shaved head and beard who wears glasses, standing in front of the bright blue vans used by the Daft as a Brush charity. He is wearing a similarly coloured lanyard.

Charities and businesses wrestle with diesel cost

UK charities and businesses are struggling with soaring diesel prices, which have surpassed £2 per litre. This is impacting operational costs and service delivery.

Three children sitting at their school desks. They have their hands raised and are facing away from the camera.

Oct 7bbc.co.uk

'Wear more clothes if it's cold,' schools told as energy bills rise

Schools in Northern Ireland have been advised by the Education Authority (EA) to reduce heating and lighting, including telling staff and pupils to wear more clothes, to mitigate an anticipated £8m rise in energy bills by March 2027.

A close-up image of a black diesel pump and two green petrol pumps.

Oct 2bbc.co.uk

Diesel prices in NI at highest level since Iran war began

Diesel prices in Northern Ireland have reached their highest level since the Iran conflict began, with an average of 193.3p per litre, according to Consumer Council data. This surge is attributed to disruptions in wholesale oil production and transportation in the Middle …

Alan Maclean is standing in an office environment. He is smiling while looking at the camera. He has short grey and brown hair, and is wearing a checked white shirt, a dark jacket and a striped tie.

Sep 29bbc.co.uk

More free nursery hours proposed in Jersey budget

Jersey's government has unveiled its 2027-2030 budget, proposing measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including increased free nursery hours, a doubled parental grant, and a family support payment.

A stock image showing a woman wearing blue jeans, a green top and a black leather jacket. She has long and wavy brown hair and is filling up her car at a petrol station.

Sep 22bbc.co.uk

Businesses struggle to profit as fuel prices soar

Businesses across the West of England are finding it difficult to maintain profitability as petrol prices approach £2 per litre, driven by global oil supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict.

Head and shoulders shot of Davey, who is wearing a navy suit jacket, a white shirt and a blue and green patterned tie.

Sep 20bbc.co.uk

Liberal Democrat leader calls for immediate 10p cut to fuel duty

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey calls for immediate 10p cut to fuel duty to help with rising costs.

A woman and her daughter, sitting next to each other and smiling into a camera. The daughter, left, has short hair and has a tube inserted into her nose, which is taped to her face.

Sep 20bbc.co.uk

Family shares hidden cost of cancer after teen's diagnosis

A family from Hythe, Kent, is struggling with the significant hidden financial costs of caring for their 13-year-old daughter, Maya, who has a rare form of childhood cancer, leading to fears of losing their home.

The image shows a group of unidentifiable toddlers sitting around a table eating and drinking. The table is red and the children's faces are blurry.

Sep 20bbc.co.uk

Families missing out on NHS money for healthy food

Thousands of low-income families in the North East and Cumbria are not claiming NHS Health Start payments, which provide money for healthy food and milk, despite rising food prices.

A composite image of Caoimhe Archibald and Sir Chris Bryant. Caoimhe has long red hair wit a fringe, wearing glasses and a pink tweed jacket. Sir Chris has short grey-ish hair, wearing a dark grey blazer, white shirt and blue floral tie.

Sep 18bbc.co.uk

Economy minister accuses SoS of 'mischief making' in social media exchange

Northern Ireland's Economy Minister, Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, accused Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant of "mischief making" following a social media dispute over the funding of a new electricity bill reduction scheme.

The exterior of the Bank of England with columns from a neighbouring building in the foreground.

Sep 17bbc.co.uk

Interest rates hold expected but Bank of England facing tough choices

The Bank of England is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% for the sixth consecutive meeting, despite accelerating inflation driven by rising global energy prices and the Middle East conflict.

Young woman prepares to pay for fuel at the pump in a petrol station. She is wearing a checked black and white shirt over a white t-shirt

Sep 16bbc.co.uk

UK inflation pushed up by petrol and diesel price rises

UK inflation rose to 3.1% in August, its highest in five months, primarily driven by soaring petrol, diesel, and airfare costs due to ongoing Middle East conflict disrupting global oil supplies.

An elderly couple look at financial paperwork

Sep 15bbc.co.uk

State pension likely to rise by £488 a year in April

The UK state pension is expected to increase by £488 annually from April, potentially pushing the full flat-rate pension above £13,000 a year. This rise, driven by the triple lock policy, is reigniting debates about its long-term affordability and generational fairness.

Marcus Liddiard pictured smiling in an office setting. He is wearing a white shirt. He has short brown hair and a beard and is wearing clear glasses.

Sep 15bbc.co.uk

Charities praise will gifts despite cost of living

Charities in Jersey are commending the significant impact of legacy donations left in wills, even as leaders acknowledge the 'affordability challenges' posed by the rising cost of living.

A woman with long black hair is wearing a beige sleeveless top and beige trousers with a black ribbon trim. She is standing in front of a brick wall which has a tree mural painted on it

Sep 13bbc.co.uk

'It's cost upon cost for working families - they get no help'

Working families earning just above benefit thresholds are struggling significantly with the cost of living, prompting a charity in Rawmarsh to call for more government assistance.

A man with light brown hair wearing a short-sleeved blue and white striped shirt stands outside by a black heating oil tank with its round lid open. In his hand he is holding a dipstick and checking the level of oil in the tank. A sign on the tank reads: This tank is alarmed.

Sep 10bbc.co.uk

Buy now or wait and hope? Families face gamble on heating oil

UK households relying on heating oil face a difficult choice: buy now at high prices or risk further increases, as costs have nearly doubled in a year due to global conflicts.

Stephen Brindley smiling and looking to the side of the frame. Supermarket shelves and fridges with goods including tins, cereal, and frozen meals are visible.

Sep 10bbc.co.uk

Social supermarket reports hundreds of sign-ups

A "social supermarket" in Dartford, Kent, has attracted 600 sign-ups in its first year by offering low-cost groceries and budgeting advice through a subscription model.

A man with long curly grey hair standing in a field.

Sep 8bbc.co.uk

Food price cap plans giving farmer 'sleepless nights'

Scottish government plans to introduce price caps on up to 50 essential food items are causing concern among farmers, who fear the financial burden will be passed down to them by large supermarkets, despite ministerial assurances.

A rack of school uniform black and navy blazers. A red chair is to the left of the rack.

Sep 7bbc.co.uk

Pre-loved uniforms save Coventry families £69, says charity

A charity scheme in Coventry has saved thousands of families an average of £69 on school uniforms this summer by providing free pre-loved and donated clothing. Clothing Coventry distributed over 15,000 items, helping more than 2,700 children prepare for the new school year.

Sep 7theguardian.com

First annual fall in UK house prices since November 2023, led by London and the south – business live

UK house prices have experienced their first annual fall in nearly three years, with Lloyds reporting a 0.4% decrease in August, driven by rising borrowing costs and economic uncertainty.

An aerial view of Douglas from the promenade on a bright day, showing hundreds of buildings with areas of trees breaking it up.

Sep 7bbc.co.uk

Cost of living on many minds ahead of Manx election

Ahead of the Isle of Man general election, residents, businesses, and charities are highlighting the rising cost of living and a declining economy as their top concerns. Demand for foodbank support has doubled, and businesses report reduced custom and increased operating …

A woman called Lucy Stephenson. She is sat on a bench in a park. She has long, straight blonde hair and is wearing a cream suit.

Sep 6bbc.co.uk

Fuel duty proposal withdrawn in Jersey after discussions

A proposal to cut fuel duty by 10p per litre in Jersey for three months has been withdrawn after Deputy Lucy Stephenson held "constructive discussions" with Treasury Minister Alan Maclean, who promised a "pragmatic way forward" to address cost of living concerns.

Senegal: In Dakar, hundreds of people demonstrated against the high cost of living

Sep 5rfi.fr

Senegal: In Dakar, hundreds of people demonstrated against the high cost of living

Hundreds of Senegalese citizens protested in Dakar against the rising cost of living, fueled by a social media campaign highlighting soaring prices for essential goods, services, and housing.

Four men on a small stage in the sun. Three of the men are playing guitars and one is sat at a drum kit. The stage is sheltered by a pop-up gazebo.

Sep 5bbc.co.uk

Live music event for charity to raise cash for Christmas dinners

A charity, the Greenaway Foundation, is hosting a live music event called Greenaway Live to raise £200,000 for its Christmas project, which provides dinners and presents to low-income families in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. The initiative aims to support over 1,000 families…

Person wearing white jumper and jeans placing their hands on a radiator.

Sep 4bbc.co.uk

Firmus Energy customers face price increase

Firmus Energy is increasing gas prices for its customers in the Ten Towns area by 8.98% and for Greater Belfast by 12.5%, effective in October.

A man with short black hair and a black beard, wearing a black T-shirt. Behind him is a long table with various multi-coloured items of school uniform laid out. Five people are behind the table, handing out the items of clothing.

Sep 2bbc.co.uk

Former Hull boxer Tommy Coyle to host annual school uniform event

Former Commonwealth lightweight boxing champion Tommy Coyle is hosting his seventh annual free school uniform giveaway in Hull to support underprivileged children.

Mr Darcy, a white horse stands behind a wooden fence with his stable in the background

Sep 2bbc.co.uk

Surge in horses given up by owners as costs rise

An animal welfare charity, The Blue Cross, reports a significant increase in horses being relinquished by owners due to the escalating costs of care, exacerbated by hay shortages and general cost of living pressures.

A boy raises his hand in a classroom setting. He wears a school uniform and computer equipment is visible in the background. He is surrounded by other children also raising their hands.

Sep 2bbc.co.uk

School uniform costs hit families, say charities

Charities in Sussex warn that new school uniform costs are adding significant financial pressure on struggling families, despite government rules aimed at reducing expenses by limiting branded items.

Ashley is looking at the camera with a neutral expression, in the background are shelves with sheets wrapped in plastic.

Sep 1bbc.co.uk

Peterborough charity concerned children are living in bed poverty - BBC News

A Peterborough-based charity, Care Zone, is spending £80,000 this year on beds and mattresses for local families, as many children are forced to sleep on floors or piles of clothes due to 'bed poverty'. The charity helped 845 children last year, highlighting a significant…

Person standing in front of shelves stocked with food and household products, holding a large mock receipt displaying the text “SNP” and “Total Price: Capped.” Rows of canned goods, sauces, packaged foods, and bottled water are visible in the background.

Aug 31bbc.co.uk

Business groups urge Swinney to scrap 'ineffective' food price cap plan

Twenty-three Scottish business organizations have written to First Minister John Swinney, urging him to abandon plans for a statutory cap on essential food prices, calling the proposal "ineffective."

Aug 27theguardian.com

The Guardian view on energy costs: vulnerable households need help with their bills | Editorial

Household energy debt in Britain is soaring, reaching a record £6bn by the end of June and set to hit £7bn by the end of the year. The government must support vulnerable households in the short term as it invests in a clean energy future.