I Attended a Christmas Lunch for 80 Homeless People and Left Truly Enlightened Sunday, December 21, 2025 homelessness christmas shekinah plymouth community charity resilience support housing poverty For me, Christmas is all about coming together, showing kindness, reflecting on the year gone by, enjoying delicious food, and sharing heartfelt conversations. So when Plymouth’s Shekinah Centre invited me to cover their … Read More
Council Tax Reduction Cuts Could Deepen Poverty in North Somerset Sunday, December 7, 2025 counciltax poverty cuts northsomerset fairfunding austerity consultation hardship localgovernment finance A North Somerset Council cabinet member has raised urgent concerns that proposed cuts to the council tax reduction scheme may push vulnerable residents into deeper poverty. Facing an unprecedented financial crisis, the … Read More
Council cut to tax reduction scheme risks pushing more residents into poverty Sunday, December 7, 2025 nortsomerset counciltax poverty budgetcuts localgovernment austerity socialsupport fundingcrisis consultation welfare North Somerset Council is contemplating cuts to its council tax reduction scheme in an effort to save £500,000, a move that local officials warn could drive more residents into deeper poverty. The council is grappling with … Read More
North Somerset Council Proposes Reducing Tax Discounts for Thousands Amid Financial Struggles Wednesday, December 3, 2025 northsomerset counciltax discounts financialcrisis workingage poverty consultation hardship socialcare budgetcuts North Somerset Council is once again considering cutting the council tax discounts given to its lowest-income residents, a move that could impact approximately 6,400 working-age households. This follows last year’s abandoned … Read More
Bills Now Consume 80% of My Income – I Can’t Afford to Heat My Home, Even in Snow Wednesday, November 26, 2025 heating bills mortgage energy poverty income costofliving budget cold benefits Julie Prince, a 52-year-old civil servant from Somerset, faces a harsh reality: despite earning £27,000 annually, almost 80% of her income goes toward her mortgage and bills. This leaves her with barely enough money to cover … Read More
'Hopeless' South West seaside town where second homes are taking over and locals rely on foodbanks Thursday, July 24, 2025 stives cornwall seaside foodbank poverty secondhomes housing tourism affordability community St Ives, heralded as the quintessential Cornish seaside town, is famed for its picture-perfect harbour, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant tourist scene. Yet beneath the postcard charm lies a community grappling with hardship. … Read More