Local Democracy Reporter Nigel Slater reports as concerns grow amid the cost of living emergency

The new leader of Derby City Council has described the scale of the area’s cost of living crisis as “scary” - and a charity boss has shared his fears about next winter being worse than the last.

Councillor Baggy Shanker said an action plan will be put in place so people in the city can rely on their own wallets rather than food banks.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Derby foodbank charity Derby Food For Thought Alliance said it had supported 40,000 people during 2022 - including more than 17,000 children.

Paul Brookhouse, manager of Derby Food For Thought Alliance, said he was worried about how people were going to fare once the summer months come to an end and the cold nights return.

He said: “My personal view is that next winter could be worse. I think things like people’s mental health over the crisis could build up and I don’t think the cost of living crisis will go away. Nothing is really going down in price. It still feels like we are still in the storm and the post-effects of Covid are still in everyone’s minds as well.

“Next winter is going to test how stretched resources are across the sector. Currently there’s a real strain on resources at a time when the demand for them is so high. There’s a concern over resources, there’s a concern over people. Energy prices are not changing, food gets more expensive and people’s pay is not getting higher so everyone is still feeling the pinch. All these will build and I think this winter will be a very challenging time.”

'It's scary'

One of the first things the new Labour-run administration at Derby City Council has done is to appoint a cabinet member solely to help people with the cost of living crisis.

The person chosen for the job is Abbey ward councillor Paul Hezelgrave.

One of his first tasks as cabinet member was to attend the launch event of a new Poverty Truth Commission in Derby. This consists of a group of people who have suffered poverty first-hand who want to help deliver change in the city and influence those in power to make decisions to help them.

Speaking in his first interview as the new council leader, Cllr Shanker told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that fresh ideas would be looked into in a bid to improve the problems that vulnerable people are facing in and around Derby.

Cllr Shanker said: “Please let me make a point on that figure. It’s an embarrassing figure. It’s a scary figure that so many people are relying on not just the Food For Thought Alliance but other food banks that are operating in and around our city.

“We are now in 2023 - it is shameful that so many people are having to rely on food banks. There is a cost of living crisis and it is being ignored.

“I have already appointed a cabinet member responsible for the cost of living, equalities and inclusion. He will be tasked to work with the Poverty Commission and other partner organisations in the city to come up with ideas on how we can support better and make sure they are looking after themselves and their family’s health. We must make sure they are not reliant on handouts and food banks which must be absolutely devastating for families.”