Under the combined effect of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the new crown pneumonia epidemic, prices in the UK have skyrocketed recently. Some surveys estimate that more than 5 million Britons are facing a “cost of living crisis”, and “heating or eating” has become a difficult problem. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also admitted on the show that the British government “cannot help everyone deal with the current cost of living crisis”.
According to a survey recently released by the British “Daily Mirror”, more than half of British adults will struggle to pay their living bills in the next few months. It is also estimated that more than 5 million British adults have been caught in the dilemma of “heating or eating”.
On the 3rd local time, “Good Morning Britain” host Suzanne Reid asked British Prime Minister Johnson about the difficulties faced by the British people. Reid told Johnson that Elsie, a 77-year-old British retiree, was afraid to go home after spending long hours on the bus every day to save money, but Johnson’s answer was speechless.
“Good Morning Britain” host Suzanne Reid: She (Elsie) gets up early every day, takes the free bus card to take the bus, and spends the whole day on the bus to avoid using energy at home . What else do you think Elsie can do to save money?
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson: I don’t want Elsie to save money, but we also make a difference with Elsie. I want to remind that her 24-hour free bus card is issued by the government.
Good Morning Britain host Suzanne Reid: So Elsie should thank you for the free bus ride?
According to British media reports, Elsie’s daily energy bill soared from £17 (about 140 yuan) to £85 (about 700 yuan) in one month. Johnson admitted on the 3rd program that the British government “cannot help everyone deal with the current cost of living crisis”.
About 23% of respondents in the March survey were “difficult” or “very difficult” to pay their daily bills, such as plumbing, electricity, etc.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics in mid-April also showed that the overall inflation rate in the United Kingdom was 7% in March, the highest level in 30 years, and the inflation rate is expected to rise to nearly 9% later this year; would be the highest since records began in the 1950s. Many economic analysts believe that the soaring cost of living will seriously affect the UK’s economic growth this year.