Tips on beating the cost of living crisis in Birmingham, according to locals

The cost of living is sharply rising across the country, and Birmingham is among the most affected areas. Every constituency in the region scores below the UK average for financial stability. We hear a lot more about the causes but not many solutions, so we ask the people of the city what their tips are.

Do you agree the government should pay less? Or should be fully investigate child poverty? And could a better community spirit see us through. Listen to all the comments in the video at the top of our story or read a selection below and let us know what you think.

Steven says: “Cost of living for people in Birmingham? Well, I’m disabled, right. And the cost of living has gone twice as much for living. What they could have done so far? Let’s look back. I don’t think any of the government should be getting paid any money till the system has been sorted out correctly. They get paid far too much money. And people like me, getting cut out.”

Joanne says: “I think one of the most worrying things about this is the fact that the level of child poverty is so high in Birmingham, I believe it’s one of the highest rates in the country for child poverty. And I think it’s not just about the cost of living crisis, which is obviously really paralysing a lot of families.

“It’s also about the effects of the pandemic and all the services that surround children and their families. So I think, obviously, the cost of living crisis is causing huge issues for everybody and crippling people financially, but at the same time, they’re also being hit by the effects of the pandemic. And we’re seeing that this in public services, right across the country, actually, certainly in schools, in the NHS.”

Helen says: “Sometimes it’s not always about money. It’s about, like, community spirit and working together. And I think in this whole pandemic situation, I think it would be nicer, like, for people to have more of a sense of community and do more activities together.”

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