Mounting bills mean even working families facing ‘heat or eat’ choice

By Rebecca McGirr

LOCAL people are at risk of falling into more debt as they struggle to cope with rising energy costs and food prices.

That’s the warning this week from Omagh Independent Advice Service (OIAS), a charitable organisation which offers free and independent financial advice.

Michael Roddy, manager, is concerned that people will rely heavily on credit cards to meet the increased cost of living.

Shop prices increased at their fastest rate in a decade last month – and the cost of goods will continue to climb throughout 2022, retailers have warned. Consumers are expected to pay £180 more on average this year for their groceries than last. And with increasing energy bills, a perfect storm has been created that may leave local people with the stark choice between ‘heating or eating’.

“We have been dealing with large numbers of people who have fallen into fuel poverty, and many are now being faced with a ‘heat or eat’ scenario,” said Mr Roddy. “Fuel poverty has always existed, but that would have been largely associated with people who were benefit-dependent.

“That’s not what we are seeing now. People are being thrust into fuel poverty even if they’re working.

“This is unprecedented for us: The cost of fuel is on a trajectory where it is expected to rise every couple of months.”

Mr Roddy said people are also struggling due to the increasing cost of living, and with the £20 cut in universal credit earlier this year and the expected increase in National Insurance that will come into force in April, he believes ‘major difficulties’ lie ahead. “We have come across a number of people that are relying heavily on credit cards to meet the cost of living.

“This has given us a serious level of concern, because it is probably one of the most expensive ways of surviving… and people will fall into serious debt.” Mr Roddy’s advice to anyone who may be in debt is to seek advice immediately.

He said, “It has been well documented that debt and mental health are very much linked, and it is very important that if someone is in debt that they address this as soon as possible. That is where organisations like ourselves come in… Where we offer a free and independent advice service.”

Pastor Graham McElhinney, from the Life Triumphant Church food bank in Omagh, is also concerned about the impact of rising costs on the community. He said, “Food poverty is always going to be an issue, but we are now seeing people struggling with the rise in energy costs and the cost of living.

“This has been an ongoing issue, and we can’t see it getting any better as prices continue to rise.”