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Becca Monaghan
Apr 02, 2022
Devastated mother tells James O'Brien she is eating her children's leftovers because ...
LBC
A harrowing phone call from a single mother lifted the lid on the realities of the cost of living crisis.
The mother of three children, Zara, broke down to LBC's James O'Brien after revealing she had been forced to eat her children's leftovers due to the drastic energy increases. Zara's outgoings all go towards bills and council tax despite working full time.
It comes as Ofgem raised the price cap of gas and electricity by a staggering 54 per cent to £1,971 for an average home compared to £1,277. Experts predict it will be around £2,700 per year from October.
"I turned the boiler off a long time ago, and we use hot water bottles," she emotionally told O'Brien.
"I've got jumpers on the children, my mum's knitted socks. I've got a condition where I can't regulate my body heat.
"I didn't even want to come on, James.
"I work, and they say work is supposed to pay. And I'm on tax credits for my children, my income seems to go onto the bills and council tax."
Zara explained she was charged as a single adult for council tax, but once her son hits 18, she was informed "you pay full council tax".
"Even if you're working full time James, they don't understand, for a single person, with three children," Zara sobbed.
"I try and feed them. We have one meal a day James, they go without breakfast, and they choose too. I try and give them fruit, bananas in the morning.
"They all say 'mum I'm fine', but it's the guilt I live with that I make sure I give them a meal... in the evening. I'll eat their leftovers James, that's the situation."
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In this harrowing call to James O'Brien, the cost of the energy crisis on Brits is laid bare as this single mother breaks down admitting she is eating her children's leftovers.\n\n@mrjamesobpic.twitter.com/jSyvRiHYdf— LBC (@LBC) 1648813095
The phonecall prompted thousands of furious responses, who were in disbelief that this is happening in 2022.
Some branded the Tories "disgraceful", while one Twitter user rightfully quizzed: "How can this be allowed to happen in any civilised country?"
Listening to this in 2022! I'm in tears, it's not right! \n\nChildish wars within Labour need to stop. Starmer is the leader. Corbyn's gone. Everyone needs to pull together & oust the Tories\n\nThe workhouses will be back before we know it \n\nYou only need to look at FdBnk numbers— (DisXT) #FBPA #FBPE #JohnsonOut \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 (@(DisXT) #FBPA #FBPE #JohnsonOut \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9) 1648817238
This is heartbreaking. How can this be allowed to happen in any civilised society?https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Pat Twomey (@Pat Twomey) 1648886443
We are a good country governed by the very worst leaders. This single mum's story will resonate with people up and down the country. Completely heartbreaking.https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Scarborough and Whitby Labour Party (@Scarborough and Whitby Labour Party) 1648886374
Tell me that your heart doesn\u2019t break after listening to this @Conservatives @RishiSunak @BorisJohnson and the sad part is there are unfortunately many more who face these difficult times. #CostOfLivingCrisishttps://twitter.com/lbc/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Gopi #BLM #integritymatters (@Gopi #BLM #integritymatters) 1648878025
Absolutely shameful @RishiSunak Do you even care? This is 2022, this should not be happening. People should not be living this. What an absolute failure if government. You need to go, every single one of you\n#GTTO \n#CostOfLivingCrisishttps://twitter.com/lbc/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Lady Di \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f #IStandWithUkraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b (@Lady Di \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f #IStandWithUkraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b) 1648842214
In all my 67 years I have never felt such anger at the injustice and inequality in this benighted country. We should be taking to the streets in every town and city across the land.https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Marian Swetman mask-wearing woke lefty\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa (@Marian Swetman mask-wearing woke lefty\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa) 1648888777
The Tories are destroying us. This heartbreaking story sums it up.https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1509857672438366209\u00a0\u2026— Matt Tacey - Nurses United UK CLT & RMN \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udf08 (@Matt Tacey - Nurses United UK CLT & RMN \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udf08) 1648836519
Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) warned the cost of heating an average home has now doubled in 18 months, leaving 6.5 million households unable to live in a warm, safe home across the UK.
Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: "If you're struggling to pay your bill, speak to your energy provider as they have to help you. Citizens Advice can also provide you with free, independent support."
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