Citizens Advice South East Wales (CASEW) is a new organisation established in 2022 by the eight local Citizens Advice services working in communities across South East Wales. By working together, people in South East Wales will have better access the advice they need, and individual Citizens Advice services in the region will have greater influence on policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

On Friday 20 January 2023, CASEW held an event at the Holiday Inn in Cardiff to present their first publication – a report into the effect of the Cost of Living Crisis.

Delegates from across the third sector, from government organisations, elected representatives and other policy makers were in attendance as Kate Henson, the Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Bridgend presented the report, which is available for download here.

Jane Hutt, the Minister for Social Justice, that households in Wales now more than ever need the services of Citizens Advice to understand what support they can claim to help with the cost of living crisis.

Dr Steffan Evans, Head of Policy (Poverty) for the Bevan Foundation, noted that some groups are feeling the pinch more than others. Households on benefits, renters, lone-parent households or households with children and people with disabilities are most affected by the cost of living crisis.

We were also lucky enough to be able to welcome one of our clients who talked about how the Cost of Living Crisis had affected them and their family.

Households in South East Wales face some of the highest average rent costs in Wales, with a significant proportion of properties owned by private landlords. A single-income household earning Real Living Wage could be paying as much as 19-34% of their monthly income on their rent, or 24-44% if earning National Living Wage. Those on a lower income and therefore eligible for support with their housing costs could face a shortfall either as a social housing tenant due to under-occupying their property or as a private tenant because Local Housing Allowance rates have not kept up with average rent prices.

It is estimated that 45% of households in Wales will be classed as fuel poor following the increase to the Energy Price Cap in April 2022. Even with the 1 Energy Price Guarantee, single-income households earning National or Real Living Wage will be at risk of fuel poverty.

There is an increasing reliance on Foodbanks, which further demonstrates the inability of households in South East Wales to afford basic essentials. Between April and September 2022, 23,905 emergency food parcels were issued in South East Wales.

34% of the clients that accessed our services between September and December 2022 to request a Foodbank parcel, reported an income of between £1,000 and £1,999; evidence that those working full-time (37 hours) earning National or Real Living Wage are facing destitution.

Since December 2020, CASEW has seen a 1,500% increase in clients seeking advice on accessing charitable support and Foodbank vouchers. There was a 115% increase since April 2022.

Fuel prices peaked in July 2022 at 48% higher than the previous year, adding 3 to the increasing financial pressures and leaving some not knowing how they will afford to commute to work.

CASEW has seen a 300% increase in clients who are self-disconnecting from their fuel supply due to a lack of credit on their energy meter or account since April 2022. We predict that in January 2023, some prepayment customers will need to find an estimated £360 a month for their energy or risk being cut off.

September to December 2022, at a glance…
We are seeing the Cost of Living crisis deepen as we enter into 2023, leaving the most vulnerable people in our communities at crisis point. We are seeing clients in hardship daily, leaving our staff working tirelessly to try to help.