The UK is currently facing a national emergency in the form of the cost of living crisis. Even before the crisis, millions of people across the country were facing a winter choosing between heating or eating, and many are now realising that they may not be able to afford either.
Along with more than 50 organisations, we are supporting Turn2Us and Save the Children in the #FixThisCrisis campaign which is calling on the government to act with urgency to ensure the wellbeing of the population.
Below we have compiled some of the campaigns and petitions being run by charities in response to the crisis so that you can show your support.
38 Degrees - We need an emergency budget that boosts Universal Credit now
This petition is urging the Government to announce an emergency budget that increases Universal Credit immediately.
With the cost of living crisis already hitting families hard and energy bills set to soar even more, this is more important now than ever.
“The Government raised Universal Credit during the pandemic - providing a lifeline to millions - and with enough pressure, they could do it again.”
Turn2Us - Write to your MP
Join Turn2Us in their campaign to ask for urgent action to help people during this cost of living crisis.
Writing to your MP lets them know how people in their area are being affected and can encourage them to take action.
“The more MPs that receive emails in their inbox, the better. Even if you think your MP will not be receptive, it is still important to write to them - the more public pressure MPs receive, the better chance we have of making a change.”
- Find out more here
Action for Children - We need urgent and decisive action on the cost of living crisis
In this open letter to Liz Truss, Action for Children are asking the new Prime Minister to take the urgent steps required to give families the support they need and strengthen the safety net.
Their three requests are that the government:
- Restore benefits to a decent level. If the cost of living goes up, benefits should reflect this.
- Increase the child element of Universal Credit to help lift children out of poverty.
- Deliver a serious and cross-government strategy to tackle child poverty and make it a key part of the government’s plans for levelling up.
- Add your signature to the letter here
Save the Children - Call on the Government to do more to ease the cost of living crisis
Save the Children are calling on the government to invest in a level of social security that is sustainable and sufficient for people to live on.
“When parents can’t afford the basics, children pay the price.”
- Sign the petition here
Independent Age - Tell the next Prime Minister to take action on the cost of living
Writing to the Prime Minister, Independent Age are asking that urgent action is taken to support older people in financial hardship to address the spiralling cost of living.
They are currently just 1,274 signatures away from their target of 5,000 - add your name below!
- Sign the petition here
The Trussell Trust - Everyone should be able to afford the essentials
While food banks are there to help people when they need it most, this cannot, and should not, be the country’s long-term solution to hunger.
Everyone should be able to afford life’s essentials, so we need a stronger social security system that provides security every day, not just in times of national crisis.
- Send a message to your MP here
Action Storm - Vulnerable young people are going hungry to pay the bills. End food poverty now!
Vulnerable young people faced with food poverty are experiencing huge difficulties with inflation historically high, energy costs soaring, rent and food prices going up, and an inevitable recession. This is putting noticeable pressure on their mental health.
Action Storm are calling on the government to:
- Uprate benefits to reflect the real cost of living.
- Remove the five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment.
- Offer the choice of more regular payments i.e. every 2 weeks
- Sign the petition here
Provide an energy grant to people with a disability or serious medical condition
This petition is calling on the government to provide a grant, so that people with a disability or serious medical condition can afford to run the equipment, or heating, they need to stay alive.
At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
- Add your signature here
Mencap - Call on the government to do more to ease the cost of living crisis
“The cost of living crisis is tough for everyone, but it can be even harder for people with a learning disability, many of whom are on low incomes, rely on disability benefits, and who need support to be able to budget and navigate complex information from energy suppliers.”
Mencap are working with UK partners including Shelter, Mind, Save The Children, Parkinsons UK and Action for Children to request that the government invest in a level of social security that is sustainable and sufficient for people to live on.
- Sign the petition here
38 Degrees - We can't take more energy bill hikes!
38 Degrees are petitioning that the government, and energy regulator Ofgem, must intervene now to protect us from the upcoming energy bills increase.
By stopping and reversing the catastrophic energy bill increases they can help to make sure that everyone is warm this winter.
- Sign the petition here