Gateshead councillors have decried the nation’s financial hardship as a form of “genocide” following a report into problems faced by the most vulnerable in the town.
In a particularly emotional meeting, councillors discovered on Monday that an average of 650 people a day are phoning Gateshead Council seeking some kind of financial help. Many of these people were previously unknown to the council and had never experienced issues paying their bills, including council tax.
The report also revealed there are currently 7,500 children receiving free school meals in Gateshead. In addition, 29% of children in Gateshead live in low-income families or families with an income of £15,000 or less.
Some have also had their water bills halved by Northumbrian Water due to financial problems. Those receiving Universal Credit now have on average a £470 council tenancy debt.
Of 100 council tenants surveyed, 65 claimed the cost of living crisis was a reason for missing rental payments.
One case study highlighted the plight of a woman with debts of around £25,000, which were impacting on her mental health. She later told council officers, “you quite literally rescued me” after the authority organised debt advice and counselling.
Winlaton and High Spen councillor Maria Hall said: “I can just imagine the fear and anxiety people live with every day, it’s a horrible situation.
“This is a policy decision, it is not austerity that’s needed to do this, if we looked at every Labour-led authority in this country being a certain ethnic minority, this would be a genocide towards the residents of those areas. It has got to come to an end.
“It is so unfair and it will take generations to rectify this and I just have fear for them. Collectively as a country and as a society, we have failed them miserably”.
A tearful Bridges councillor John Eagle said: “Hate is a powerful word and I have always wondered why I hated Tory governments. They should hang their heads in shame.
“Co-ops, foodbanks, food networks, warm spaces, energy reconnection, these aren’t even third-world country issues. They look after their people better than this, it is an absolute disgrace.”
Cllr Eagle later echoed Coun Hall’s comments and agreed: “It’s genocide, isn’t it?”
A Government spokesperson said: “We recognise people are struggling with rising prices, which is why we’re protecting millions of the most vulnerable households through our £37bn package of support, including at least £1,200 of direct payments, and saving households an average of £900 on their energy bills this winter, in addition to the £150 of extra support for disabled people and £300 per household for pensioners.
“Vulnerable families in England are also being supported by the Government’s Household Support Fund – which was boosted by £500m – to help pay for essentials.”
