Bromley Citizens Advice has seen a sharp rise in the among of people reaching out for support with their fuel and gas debts and needing foodbank vouchers.

Since the start of the year, the organisation has seen 160 clients regarding fuel and gas debts compared to 49 in the previous six months.

Foodbank vouchers and charitable support have been given to 270 people in Bromley since January 1 compared to 172 in the previous six months.

Bromley Citizens Advice is a volunteer-led charity providing free, confidential and impartial advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer and housing problems.

Partner initiative, Bromley Well, are reporting similar pressures across their services.

Loraine Whittaker, Chief Officer for Citizens Advice Bromley, said: “We have seen around a 50 per cent increase in requests for food and fuel vouchers compared to last year.

“We have seen almost a 30 per cent increase in people asking for support for benefits and universal credit, particularly help with their debts and housing.

“Everyone from Bromley comes through the Bromley Well helpline, we are now taking up to one hundred calls a day.

“In the last year we took 12,000 calls.

“All of the partners are seeing huge increases in people needing support with the cost of living.

“I have had people call up who are anxious and having sleepless nights because they have put in these benefit claims and are waiting.”

Bromley Well initiative workers Gulsah, Herbie and Liz will be in the Glades shopping centre on June 9 between 1pm and 3pm to speak to people in Bromley about their cost-of-living concerns.

 

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.