MP to host cost of living webinar amid ‘record use of food banks’

‘PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW TO PAY BILLS’: Emma Hardy MP

By Simon Bristow

Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy is hosting a webinar next week to help people through the cost of living crisis.

The online event will take place on Thursday, January 26, from 6.30pm and will be on Zoom and streamed live on Facebook.

It will feature four panellists, from Hull and East Riding Citizens Advice, Yorkshire Building Society, campaign group Fair By Design, and anti-poverty charity Trussell Trust, which supports a network of food banks across the UK.

There will be a Q&A running throughout the event, giving viewers the chance to participate and ask questions of the panel.

The focus will be on energy, housing, food and essential goods and Fair By Design’s Poverty Premium campaign. It is hoped the event will help people find out what support is available and how to access it.

Ms Hardy said: “From speaking to constituents, I’ve seen first hand how the cost of living crisis is affecting people in Hull West and Hessle. We have record numbers using food banks, warm banks are popping up across Hull and East Riding and people are becoming increasingly concerned about rent and mortgage payments.

“People are coming to me unsure of exactly what help is out there, if they’re entitled to it, and if they are entitled to it, how to access it. That’s why I’ve decided to put on this online event so people watching can have their questions answered in one place.”

Yesterday, Hull City Council revealed more than 9,000 people had called a helpline seeking advice on the cost of living crisis since it was set up four months ago.

• You can register for the event on Zoom here.