News / Cost of living
How women bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis
The lives of women are “likely to be disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis”, according to a Bristol organisation.
The rising price of living has squeezed households across the UK, with 90 per cent reporting an increase in their living costs affected by rising fuel and food prices.
In Bristol, people are being hit with food, fuel, energy, housing and transport costs surging and wages not keeping pace.
is needed now More than ever
As the situation worsens, Bristol Women’s Voice say it is women and low-income households who will be most strained by the economic climate.
In case you missed the recent briefing from the @WomensBudgetGrp on the gendered impact of the cost-of-living crisis, one of our volunteers has summarised the key points and recommendations here: https://t.co/oGvvclyDif
— Bristol Women’s Voice (@BWV2) May 25, 2022
In the analysis, they say single-parent households are among the most exposed to the current crisis – which are overwhelmingly made up of women.
While the weekly median gross pay for single fathers is £346, it is £194.40 for single mothers, with women comprising up to 90 per cent of single-parent families.
This is compounded by the fact women are already at risk of being in poverty than men. Poverty rates are also higher for people from Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black ethnic groups, as well as disabled people.
Chloe Hughes, Bristol Women’s Voice volunteer, said: “The cost-of-living crisis in the UK is having a detrimental effect on many people’s financial situations.
“Inflation is at its highest level for 30 years, food and petrol prices are increasing, and energy bills are set to rise by over 50% for a large number of households.
“Compounded by the gendered impact of poverty, the current crisis will likely have a disproportionate impact on the lives of many women.”
The findings come amid the news that all UK households will get a grant which will reduce energy bills by £400 from October.
A £650 payment will also be made to more than eight million low-income households who receive Universal Credit, tax credits, pension credit and other means-tested benefits.
To read more about the gendered impact of the cost of living crisis, and where to find support, visit: www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/womens-budget-group-gendered-impact-of-cost-of-living-crisis/
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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