cost of living crisis is hitting people's pockets hard all across world. Soaring oil and gas prices have made basic necessities like food, heating and transport unaffordable for many people. In UK over past few months, debate has been over the shocking dilemma of "heating or eating". Energy prices have more than doubled this year for many consumers, resulting in those on low incomes or on benefits facing choice of heating their home, or eating. Life is so hard for some that they do not have enough money to use gas or electricity to boil potatoes. This situation will be exacerbated by rises in contributions to country's health care system, which come into effect next week.
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown lambasted man responsible for controlling Britain's finances, chancellor Rishi Sunak. Mr Brown said: "Any caring and compassionate chancellor would want to do something about this poverty....You cannot ignore needs of parents who are having to choose between putting their heating up and feeding their children." He added that it was urgent for chancellor to act, or the ruling Conservative Party will be known as "nasty" party. Further price hikes and food shortages are on horizon as the war in Ukraine will see price of wheat rise. Government critics are calling for one-off "windfall tax" on huge profits of energy companies to help disadvantaged.
