cost of living

Image of Kevin Baker, who was left paralysed on one side in 2004, says money struggles mean he is less able to use support services, taken at Paul's Place in Coalpit Heath (credit: David Griffiths)

Features

Disabled people are struggling to access ‘lifeline’ services amid the cost-of-living crisis

University of Bristol research has uncovered a dire national picture around disabled people’s financial wellbeing. We spoke to locals who are worrying about heating bills and visiting crucial social spaces less often.

How the Help to Buy scheme became a massive hindrance to my family moving house

‘What the hell can people do?’ Looming closure of St Pauls dentist shines light on a national crisis

Illustration of solar panels feeding energy into community microgrids (credit: @laurence_ware_design)

Future of Cities

People power: how can community electricity grids help tackle the energy crisis?

A small-scale ‘microgrid’ scheme in Lawrence Weston is helping a group of Bristol homeowners take power into their own hands – but how can we supercharge community energy projects to benefit everyone?

Image of Iain Aitchison of Longwell Records at his shop in Keynsham (credit: David Griffiths)

Features

‘Trust in the grooves’: how Bristol’s independent record shops are navigating an uncertain world

Reports

Revealed: Over half of Bristol’s rental homes would fail to meet proposed new energy efficiency standard

Cost of living crisis takes its toll on Bristol’s Somali community

Over the winter, there was a spike in people from Bristol's Somali community seeking help with living costs, with families finding it increasingly difficult to get by while also providing financial support for relatives back home in Somalia.

Emergency insulation kits and advice to help Bristol households through the winter months

As people on low incomes struggle with the energy crisis, Bristol Energy Network will support hundreds of households with insulation materials and training. But with thousands struggling, much broader action is needed.

‘Academic and support staff are suffering – it’s time for universities to dip into their rainy day funds’

University of Bristol staff deserve a pay rise after years of real-terms cuts, so why won’t it lift salaries? Recent growth is unsustainable, and investing in pay could help not just workers but local businesses and the city.

Bristol venues brace for another challenging winter in face of energy and cost of living crises

Independent businesses are being hammered by rising energy bills as cost of living rises force customers tighten their purse strings.

Living Wage Info Graphic- £6 Billion