In the two-bedroom flat in Birmingham where Clare Caudery lives with her two children, it’s cold.

She’s decided heating is something they simply can’t afford anymore.

“In the past six months I’ve had to start using food banks for the first time ever,” she told Sky News.

“At first I was really embarrassed, really embarrassed. But I just had to get over it. I didn’t have a choice.”

As a single mother of two children who have additional needs, she has to be a full-time carer. They were managing to get by on benefits until recently.

“It’s the cost of living, the rising cost of absolutely everything,” Ms Caudery said.

She decided to share her experience at a rally in Birmingham as demonstrations were held in cities across the country on Saturday to highlight the impact of the cost of living crisis on families.

Environmental activists claim to have ‘disarmed’ nearly 2,000 SUVs in one month

Just Stop Oil: At least 13 people arrested in Essex as protest group blocks key oil terminals

Birmingham pub bombings: Journalist Chris Mullin does not have to hand over notes to police and can protect his sources, court rules

In the crowd was Daniel Gould, 32. He says the wage from his full-time job is no longer enough.

“I can just about pay my outgoings with what I earn but with no actual money left for food and fuel. I have to get it from my partner or borrow it from my parents,” he told Sky News.

“The way things are going I won’t be able to pay my rent”.

Sharon Power who runs a food bank in the city said Friday was the busiest day they’ve ever seen.

Read more:
From stockpiling food to cutting back on laundry – how rising costs are impacting children
Shop price inflation hits highest rate since 2011

But she’s concerned that the people who regularly donate food will be forced to stop.

“They’ve approached me during last week and say that they all are worried about how they’re going to be able to continue to donate because of the cost of living in this crisis,” she says.

Back at her flat, Ms Caudery said she and her children face an uncertain future.

“What happens next because this doesn’t look like it’s going to ease does it?

“I can only think that it’s going to get more and more difficult for more and more people.”

Related posts:

Man wins court battle over Betfred’s refusal to pay out £1.7m jackpot Mother-of-three was attacked by American bulldogs after argument with her daughter Bus set on fire and photographer attacked in disorder in Belfast ahead of emergency meeting Man, 20, arrested on suspicion of murder of woman found dead in shrubbery Zero daily COVID deaths reported in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland Ospreys return from extinction in England and Wales – as breeding programme celebrates 200th chick How are the UK’s travel lists decided? UK records 37,011 new COVID cases and 68 more deaths, daily figures show UK Afghanistan veterans have taken their own lives over withdrawal – armed forces minister Uncertainty as schools return – could parents socialising trigger spike in COVID cases? Liz Truss comments sparked Putin decision to put nuclear deterrence forces on high alert, Kremlin says Former double world darts champion charged with sexual assault