City Hall finds one in five Londoners on less than £20K go without food

By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter

Sadiq Khan has urged the Government to step in and prevent the cost of living crisis becoming a “national disaster” amid soaring energy prices.

The average UK energy bill is set to reach £4,200 per year in 2023, though the UK’s energy regulator has warned that suppliers may raise customers’ direct debit bills before the new price cap kicks in.

It comes as new City Hall polling reveals 20 per cent of Londoners on wages of £20,000 per year or less have had to go without food at some point in the past six months.

The new poll, conducted by YouGov, found that Black, Asian and Disabled Londoners as well as private renters were more likely to suffer the effects of the cost of living crisis.

The results also found that the cost of energy is now the number one financial concern for Londoners.

Sadiq Khan said that he is “committed” to providing support for struggling Londoners but called for more action from central Government with “no sign of this rise in costs slowing down”.

He said: “With the prospect of a bleak winter ahead, the Government must not neglect the needs of those in our capital. Ministers must act now to help prevent this cost of living crisis becoming a national disaster.”

Picture top: Sadiq Khan (Picture: PA)