Greater Manchester's street where families light their homes with candles because they can't afford electricity

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

There’s a look of desperation in Angela Speak’s eyes. Sat on a bench in Bolton town centre, the single mother-of-two starts to cry. “There have been days where we’ve had no electric and we’ve had to use candles,” she says. “A support worker gave us a Tesco voucher and we managed to get a trolley full of shopping – it was the biggest shop we’ve had in a long time.

It was lovely putting things in the trolley that the kids asked to have. It was nice not having to worry.” Before energy prices increased, one in five people were unable to afford their energy bills in Bolton , even if they cut back on other essentials.

That figure is now expected to rise to one in three. READ MORE: Drug dealer used his laundered cash to lead 'extremely lavish lifestyle' with flash homes, designer clothes and fancy cars The Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton helped 706 people between January 1 and March 20 this year – an increase of 31 per cent compared to 2021.

Crisis support included emergency foodbank supplies and fuel vouchers. Angela is one of thousands of mothers across Greater Manchester struggling with the rising cost of living.