Leicester on Brink: Can Budget Help City Turn its Finances Around?
The city is at a crossroads, with many residents struggling to make ends meet. Anika, a full-time worker, says she can't afford to dine out or buy anything other than the basics. "Everything is so expensive," she laments.
Charity workers like Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan are seeing the devastating effects of poverty and debt on their clients. "Money problems and cramped living arrangements can lead to abusive relationships," she warns. Her charity, the Zinthiya Trust, has seen a surge in demand for its services as more people struggle to cope with rising costs.
Leicester's industrial base may be weak, but small businesses like Samworth's are a lifeline for many residents. The city's elected mayor, Peter Soulsby, wants to shift Leicester up the rankings by recouping funding lost during austerity years. However, local authority funding remains tight, limiting what councils can do to support families.
Experts warn that if the budget doesn't address rising costs, places like Leicester will be left behind. Rachel Granger, an economics professor at De Montfort University, says 20% of Leicester's population is classified as deprived – twice the national average. "There is almost full employment, but lots of very low wage work on offer," she notes.
The city's creative quarter and hospitality sector are seen as potential growth areas, but economic metrics suggest things are getting worse. Simon Jenner, director of the Leicester Business Improvement District, acknowledges that progress is being made, but "it's not plain sailing."
As the chancellor prepares to announce the budget, residents are holding out hope for relief from the cost of living crisis. A lower measure of inflation could slow rail fare increases and lift the two-child cap on welfare benefits, while injecting cash into free school meals. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to turn Leicester's finances around.
The city's low average incomes are partly due to a boundary drawn in 1972 that includes wealthier suburbs in surrounding counties. Ganeshpanchan notes that clients' issues are more complex now, with debts owed to the Department for Work and Pensions and energy companies. "Many are doing two or three jobs just to pay their bills," she says.
As Leicester faces a make-or-break moment, residents can only wait and see if the budget will provide the necessary support to turn the city's fortunes around.
The city is at a crossroads, with many residents struggling to make ends meet. Anika, a full-time worker, says she can't afford to dine out or buy anything other than the basics. "Everything is so expensive," she laments.
Charity workers like Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan are seeing the devastating effects of poverty and debt on their clients. "Money problems and cramped living arrangements can lead to abusive relationships," she warns. Her charity, the Zinthiya Trust, has seen a surge in demand for its services as more people struggle to cope with rising costs.
Leicester's industrial base may be weak, but small businesses like Samworth's are a lifeline for many residents. The city's elected mayor, Peter Soulsby, wants to shift Leicester up the rankings by recouping funding lost during austerity years. However, local authority funding remains tight, limiting what councils can do to support families.
Experts warn that if the budget doesn't address rising costs, places like Leicester will be left behind. Rachel Granger, an economics professor at De Montfort University, says 20% of Leicester's population is classified as deprived – twice the national average. "There is almost full employment, but lots of very low wage work on offer," she notes.
The city's creative quarter and hospitality sector are seen as potential growth areas, but economic metrics suggest things are getting worse. Simon Jenner, director of the Leicester Business Improvement District, acknowledges that progress is being made, but "it's not plain sailing."
As the chancellor prepares to announce the budget, residents are holding out hope for relief from the cost of living crisis. A lower measure of inflation could slow rail fare increases and lift the two-child cap on welfare benefits, while injecting cash into free school meals. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to turn Leicester's finances around.
The city's low average incomes are partly due to a boundary drawn in 1972 that includes wealthier suburbs in surrounding counties. Ganeshpanchan notes that clients' issues are more complex now, with debts owed to the Department for Work and Pensions and energy companies. "Many are doing two or three jobs just to pay their bills," she says.
As Leicester faces a make-or-break moment, residents can only wait and see if the budget will provide the necessary support to turn the city's fortunes around.
it's like they're being squeezed on both sides - prices are going up but wages aren't keeping pace. it's heartbreaking to hear that many ppl r struggling 2 make ends meet, including anika who can barely afford basic stuff. but i'm trying 2 stay positive cuz i think the budget might bring some relief 
a lower inflation rate could be a game changer 4 ppl in leicester, esp with those rail fare increases being slowed down. and maybe the chancellor will throw some extra cash at free school meals? that wud b amazing for families. lets hope the chancellor comes up w/ a plan 2 help leicester turn its finances around 
? It's not just the cost of living that's the problem, it's like, many people are barely scraping by 
. The creative quarter and hospitality sector might be a silver lining, but if they don't get some serious funding, I'm not sure how much help it'll be 
. Fingers crossed for the city! 
they deserve better! its not just about money, its about havin 2 live in cramped spaces and deal w/ abusive relationships 
Leicester is like stuck in debt 2 death cant afford nothin & its affectin every1 from students 2 single moms... like wut r they gonna do? 
, not just a Band-Aid fix! Those struggling are doing two or three jobs just to survive 
, it's time for real change!