Citizens Advice West Suffolk speak to West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock about increasing poverty facing its clients

A charity has told an MP benefits need to rise in line with inflation as it sees an increasing number of clients who are unable to make ends meet.

West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock visited the Brandon office of Citizens Advice West Suffolk on Tuesday where members of the organisation told him about the issues facing the local community.

Citizens Advice West Suffolk has seen a 19% increase in clients in August 2022, compared to the previous August, a 254% increase in energy issues and a 63% increase in benefit issues.

The charity is estimating its own energy costs will rise to £10,528 for 2023/2024 - an increase of 163 per cent from £4,000 in 2021/2022. This is for its Bury St Edmunds and Brandon buildings, where it has to cover these costs.

Carol Eagles, CEO of Citizens Advice West Suffolk, said: "We are seeing a lot of clients who are unable to make ends meet so it's the choice: heat or eat.

"Whilst the cost-of-living payments are very helpful they are not a long-term solution to the poverty we are seeing with our clients and so we feel what really needs to happen is for benefits to increase in line with inflation."

Mrs Eagles said Mr Hancock was 'really keen to listen' and had promised to speak to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chloe Smith, about the uprate for welfare benefits from April 2023 being in line with inflation.

During the meeting with Mr Hancock, the charity spoke about the number of clients needing support from foodbanks and help with paying for heating oil and issues relating to people who are 'off grid' and rely on heating oil.

Mrs Eagles said they also discussed the delays in the Department for Work and Pensions processing disability benefit claims and the challenges clients are having with accessing mental health services.

Last month, the charity issued a call for more volunteers as enquiries to its helpline surged due to the cost-of-living crisis.

"We have got to increase capacity because I can see there's a big demand - a big demand now, but that demand is going to grow as we go into the winter" said Mrs Eagles.

For advice visit the website or call 0808 278 7868.

Mr Hancock was approached for comment.