The increasing cost of living is hurting here in Brighton & Hove. Food and energy bills are going up but household incomes aren't. People are experiencing greater hardship, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

Households most likely to be in poverty include those where someone in the home has a disability and they have to keep utilities on not just for warmth and cooking but for health equipment such as hoists, nebulisers and fridges for medication.

For a long time, we have warned that some people have to choose between heating or eating. We are now in the serious situation where people can't afford to do either as household incomes do not meet living costs.

Over the last 12 months, Food partnership members have had to step up to the increasing need, city food banks gave out 1,339 emergency food parcels. Nine projects gave out 81 groceries vouchers. The total number of emergency food parcels and vouchers provided rose by 20% in 2022.