Cost of living crisis – guidance and advice update
This article was put together by the internal DSC wellbeing team to provide some further guidance and advice to our staff about the cost-of-living crisis. We last did this in the pandemic and we're now updating our guidance. It includes some background information alongside a number of practical tips and general guidance.
What is the cost-of-living crisis?
The current cost of living crisis is a result of stunted economic growth from the surge in the global demand for fuel. Both have inflated the price of energy and consumer goods at a faster rate than the rise of wages and benefits.
What is the latest government action?
The UK government has prepared various financial packages to limit the impact of the cost of living crisis in their latest budget. Here is what they are doing.
- This Budget takes levies off energy bills to save families £150 on average next year, and up to £300 for some poorer households.
- The historic decision to remove the two-child limit in full from April 2026 will lift 450,000 children out of poverty -rising to around 550,000 alongside other measures announced this year, such as the expansion of free school meals – the biggest reduction at any Budget this century. This comes after this government has already rolled out free breakfast clubs to half a million more children.
- They are raising the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage meaning full-time workers on the National Living Wage see a rise of £900 a year, while full-time workers on the 18-20 National Minimum Wage rate will see a £1,500 rise.
- Pension Triple Lock for this parliament, pensioners on the full new State Pension across the UK are set to receive an extra £575 a year, which they’ll start seeing from April 2026.
- Over three quarters of pensioners in England and Wales will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
- They are freezing regulated rail fares in England this year – saving commuters hundreds of pounds off season tickets and easing pressure on household budgets.
- They have extended the freeze on prescription fees for another year, keeping the cost under £10.
- The Universal Credit Standard Allowance for a single person aged 25 or over will increase by around £295 a year, over £110 more than if up-rated by inflation alone. For couples, where one partner is aged 25 or over, it will increase by around £465 a year, approximately £180 more than if up-rated by inflation alone.
Some top tips and practical guidance
Fuel prices
If you’re a driver you can check fuel prices at the petrol pump with this useful app.
Martin Lewis money saving expert
Martin offers a wide range of help with household bills, mortgages, and insurance help. Please find out more information here.
Batch meal cooking
The BBC has some fantastic examples of batch meal cooking plans here.
Local library
If you’re looking for free things to do with kids, then your local library will sometimes have free activities you can go to and also rooms you can use to work in. Find out more here.
Charity workers discount
Some organisations offer discounts for charity workers and you can find more information about it here.
More examples include:
Using various seat filling sites for discounted tickets to plays, concerts, exhibitions:
Home Page | London | Central Tickets
Compare the Market offers 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday, along with other discounts valid for 1 year when buying insurance.
You can use your Sainsbury’s Nectar card and download the Nectar app and points can be collected when making purchases at Sainsbury’s, Argos and the partners listed on the app. Points can be used for purchases at Sainsbury’s, Argos and Nectar partners which you can use to help pay for Eurostar tickets. Download the Tesco App for Clubcard offers and vouchers.