Citizens Advice Oldham experienced 'unwelcome record demand' for support on cost-of-living issues last year - and said 2023 is shaping up to be worse.

The Oldham branch of the charity, which gives confidential advice on issues ranging from debt, housing, money management and benefits to consumer rights, said it endured a record demand for support compared to previous years.

In 2022, the team helped more than 200,000 people with crisis support, such as food bank referrals and emergency charitable support.

This is nearly 50 per cent higher than the demand the year before and more than double the figures the charity helped in 2020.

However, Citizens Advice Oldham said the situation has "continued to get worse" and the crisis is "far from over" for households across the borough.

In January this year, it helped 730 people with support - a 61 per cent increase from January 2022 and amounting to an average of three people a minute in dire need of crisis support.

Personal independence payments, energy, access to charitable support and food banks remain the top cost-of-living issues people in Oldham are contacting the charity for help with.

Steve Hughes, chief officer of Citizens Advice Oldham said: “Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford has seen huge demand for its services over the past 12 months. 

“Every day we hear from people in desperate situations, who are struggling to get by and have been pushed to breaking point by the cost-of-living crisis.

“We’re helping people on benefits, workers, families, pensioners and lots of people who have never needed to access support before.

“People continue to cut back on essentials in a desperate attempt to keep their heads above the water, this crisis is far from over.”