The impact of the cost of living crisis in Cheshire
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Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West undertook a survey on the impact of the cost of living increases on people's health and wellbeing. 28 members of their Citizens Focus Panel responded to this survey.
The majority of respondents were over 65, 66% (17), had no dependents living at home, 92% (25), were White British 96% (26) and their income was from a private pension 67% (18).
The majority 96% (26) said they had made changes or anticipate making changes due to the cost of living crisis – mainly in respect to heating and energy costs.
22% (6) had made a change in going to see friends/relatives due to the cost of living crisis and 11% (3) anticipated making this change.
Over half of 53% (15) said they were putting on more clothes to keep warm and 18%(5) anticipated making this change.
39%(11) of respondents said that they were not turning on the heating when they normally would and 25% (7) said that they were anticipating this change.
25% (7) anticipated that they would start to use a warm hub but the majority 75%(21) said using a warm hub was not applicable to them.
Half of respondents 50% (14) said they were turning off or avoiding using essential items (i.e. not using their oven). 14% (4) said that they anticipated starting to do this.
32% (9) of respondents said that they were cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure. 21%(6) of respondents said that they anticipated making this change.