Category Archives: ukcuts
Poorest families hit hardest by income squeeze
Carers struggle to survive and keep loved ones warm
Sunday 18 November 2012
The 10 per cent of UK households with the lowest income – £8,000 or less – have seen the biggest rise in the rate of inflation over the past year when the impact of soaring university tuition fees is stripped out, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Its research shows such households faced inflation of 2.49 per cent in the year to October, compared to just 2.1 per cent for the richest 10 per cent. This is because poorer families spend twice as much of their income on fuel, and four times as much on water, the accountant says.
Parents of autistic children: Care worker changes scare us
By Danie Linsell BBC Somerset politics reporter
Martin’s wife has been at breaking point for some time and recently considered taking her own life.
“I’m glad my wife’s got the care support because about a week ago I nearly lost her… she wanted to hang herself in the apple tree.”
Martin – not his real name – is in his 40s and is a parent and a carer.
His teenage son has Asperger’s syndrome and the whole family has to cope with his violent, aggressive outbursts and manipulative behaviour.
Martin’s wife has been at breaking point for some time and recently considered taking her own life.
She is not on her own. Many parents across Somerset say their own state of mind has suffered as a result of coping with their children’s behavioural problems.