A MUM-of-four has been left in tears at having to choose between food and gas.
Phoenix, 33, said the situation makes her “not want to be here” after admitting she cannot afford sweets for her children, aged four to 15.
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And she accused the Government of “playing games”, adding how she probably would not have had kids if she knew what was to come.
Phoenix, of Crystal Palace, South East London, said: “There’s been so many times where I’ve just broken down in tears because of having to choose between gas or food.
“My children are being denied the small things in life, like having a sweet from the shop. It’s not nice having to say no to your children.
“It has affected my emotional wellbeing. It’s enough to make you not want to be here anymore.”
Phoenix was diagnosed with diabetes earlier this year and has been struggling to provide for her kids.
She relies on benefits and said the rising cost of living has affected everything, including her children’s education.
She said she also went without gas for four days in a row because the cost rose from £15 to £40 a week, adding: “That is a lot of money to be putting on.
“The rising costs just affect everything in your life, whether you’re on benefits or not.
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“Even with petrol, £20 used to get me around 100 miles but these days I get around 70-80 miles maximum and then it’s gone.
“I have a lot of health problems at the moment and I’ve had days where I have to walk my kids to school which has made them late, or they’ve had to miss whole days.”
Households are facing soaring energy bills, inflation is forecast to hit 10 per cent and welfare payments and wages are falling far behind the increase in prices.
Boris Johnson has warned the Government cannot completely shield the British people from the rising cost of living.
But Phoenix said it left her feeling helpless, adding: “I feel like the Government is not helping and I feel like they are playing games with us.
“I think if they had kept to their promises up until now, we probably wouldn’t even be in this situation, but they always give us false hope.
“I’ll be so honest, if I had known everything I know now back then, I probably would have chosen not to have children.
“I feel helpless and I wouldn’t want them to live this life.”
GET HELP WITH BILLS
If you’re struggling, there’s certain things you can do to lower these costs.
Banks and companies have put in place initiatives to help those who are falling behind on payments.
Here’s how you can reach out for support for nine household bills.
ENERGY HELP
A debt expert has shared all the help that energy suppliers offer for your bills.
They include grants and schemes, fuel vouchers, repayment plans and Fuel Direct.
Make sure to contact your supplier as early as possible.
If you’re worried about paying bills, falling behind or are in debt, there are plenty of organisations where you can seek advice for free, including:
