GREATER Manchester Leaders have escalated their response to the cost of living crisis, as new research shows that a majority of residents across the city-region have seen their expenses increase in just the last month.
The latest Greater Manchester Residents Survey, presented to Leaders at last week’s Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting, also found that almost half of residents would be unable to pay an unexpected emergency expense of £850 – higher than the national average of 30 per cent.
The survey, carried out between 20 October and 3 November, also found that just over a third of mortgage holders are struggling with mortgage payments, while almost half of renters are having difficulty paying rent.
More debt-related enquiries are being made by residents to Citizens Advice, and a third of households in the city-region have borrowed more money or used more credit in the past month compared to the same period in 2021.
The results of the Greater Manchester Residents Survey continue to show that, while a majority of people are affected by rising costs, some residents – including those in already marginalised or minoritised positions – are being hit harder than others. Almost 90 per cent of disabled respondents are worried about their living costs – findings supported by data from Citizens Advice showing that around 60 per cent of Greater Manchester residents who contacted them about benefits and tax credits in the period from April to October were disabled or have a long-term health condition.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“Greater Manchester’s response to the cost of living crisis is being strengthened all the time, and the focus shown by leaders across our local authorities, together with businesses and other partners, has enabled us to coordinate those efforts much more effectively.
“Action is being taken right now to address the diverse impacts of this crisis, from setting up warm spaces throughout our communities, to rolling out the Good Employment Charter to more employers so that they can support more of their workers through these challenging times. The expansion of A Bed Every Night, in partnership with Manchester City Council, means that 86 more beds will now be available this winter, giving people sleeping rough the chance to access vital accommodation and support to get back on their feet.
“Unfortunately, those same communities and businesses across Greater Manchester continue to be impacted by a rail network that is not providing the reliability or the levels of service that our city-region, and the wider North, desperately need. Damage is being done to business investment and to business confidence. This situation can and must be resolved, and we are ready to work in partnership with Government to see that happen.”
