SVP says price increases a blow to struggling families

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) says that the price increases for energy and broadband all coming together just weeks before Christmas is a further blow to struggling low-income families.

"This is a particularly difficult time for families worrying about upcoming Christmas expenses and getting through the winter months when energy bills are at their highest.” says the Society.

SVP says that it had expected to deal with 50,000 calls for help over the winter months but already it is getting a sense that this number may increase.

In November alone the SVP East Region (Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow) had almost 12,000 calls for assistance, that is 1,000 more than the same month in 2016.

“Because austerity and poverty no longer figure in news headlines it is easy to forget that there are still thousands of people who continue to live in hardship and with limited income.” said Kieran Stafford, SVP National President.

"We help people throughout the year at times when families find themselves in financial difficulties. These price increases will add to those financial difficulties." he said.