Topic
CostOfLiving
17 stories, newest first.
- Council & Politics · Chipping Barnet
Chipping Barnet Foodbank Calls for Realistic Universal Credit Rates
Bob Bevil of Chipping Barnet Foodbank has called for Universal Credit rates to be recalculated using a methodology similar to the Living Wage. He states current benefit levels are historical and arbitrary, failing to account for rising essential costs.
Chipping Barnet2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 10 
Lifestyle & Food · BarnetFood banks in Barnet: where they are, and one has just moved
Ten food bank organisations operate across Barnet, some needing a referral and some not. Colindale Foodbank closed at its old address in the first week of August and reopens on 11 August at Trinity Hub in Grahame Park — a change neither the council nor the food bank’s own locations page has caught up with.
Barnet4 min read
WorldHarrow Labour Demands Contractor Suspension After Enforcement Failures
Harrow Labour Group has secured the suspension of a private enforcement contractor after reports of aggressive behaviour, including a £1,000 fine for a five-year-old. The group is demanding repayment of penalties and an end to outsourcing the service, while council tax rises of 5% are expected in 2027 and 2028.
5 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 65- World
Burnham urged to prioritise food security with new Good Food Bill
More than 100 organisations, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi, have signed a letter calling on Andy Burnham to introduce a Good Food Bill. The letter warns of rising food insecurity, falling UK production and increasing reliance on imports, with prices set to rise 50% by November.
5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50 - Property & Planning · Barnet
Council housing in Barnet: the register, bidding, and help if you are at risk of losing your home
How Barnet’s housing register and bidding system work, what the priority bands mean in practice, and what the council must do if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Barnet7 min read 
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet council tax: what the bands mean and how to challenge yours
Council tax bands in Barnet are based on 1991 property values, not current ones. This guide explains how bands are set, what your bill is made up of, who can get a discount, and how to challenge a band you think is wrong.
Barnet6 min read
WorldYoung adults face tougher start to adulthood
Analysis of UK data reveals that 25-year-olds are experiencing a more challenging entry into adulthood. Home ownership rates have significantly declined, employment figures have fallen, and wages have stagnated, leading many to live with parents for longer.
5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
WorldThink Tank Warns on Funding for Cost-of-Living Support
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) has cautioned the new government against increasing borrowing to fund cost-of-living measures. They suggest tax hikes or spending reductions as necessary alternatives, forecasting persistent inflation and stable interest rates.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 30- World
Labour Overtakes Reform UK in Latest Polls
Labour has gained ground in opinion polls, surpassing Reform UK for the first time since March 2025. This development follows two weeks of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's administration, marked by policy initiatives and upcoming social care plans.
1 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 65 - World
Energy Costs Surge 19% Amid Rising Inflation
Energy prices have climbed by 19% in the year to June 2026, with fuel and light seeing the largest jump. Overall RPI inflation reached 4.3%, and households with retired adults faced the highest cost increases.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35 - World
Waitrose Sees Surge in Comfort Food Sales
Waitrose has reported significant increases in sales of traditional comfort foods like cottage pie and trifle, alongside a rise in searches for classic recipes. This trend, dubbed 'reverse comfort eating', suggests a shift towards familiar dishes amidst economic and political uncertainty.
3 min readTrust 58 · Craft 87 · Hype 30 
WorldChef Calls for VAT Cut Amid Hospitality Struggles
Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains has urged the government to lower the UK's 20% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. The call comes amid difficult trading conditions, with the UK's rate being the second highest in Europe.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldBurnham Takes Helm with New Policies and Communication Style
Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister following a leadership challenge, implementing policies like a VAT cut on electricity and a £2 bus fare cap. His administration prioritises social media for communication and plans a devolution centre in the North.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 87 · Hype 55
WorldBrits More Familiar With Foreign Landmarks Than UK Ones
A new survey reveals that more people in the UK have visited the Eiffel Tower than the Tower of London. The study also found that foreign landmarks are more recognisable than many British icons, with cost of living cited as a barrier to domestic exploration.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldBurnham Scraps Starmer Policies Amid Cost of Living Measures
Andy Burnham has introduced measures to tackle the cost of living crisis and abandoned several policies linked to Keir Starmer. However, critics are raising concerns about the financial backing and extent of these new proposals.
2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 65
WorldLondon's Child Population Falls Sharply
London has seen a substantial drop in its under-10 population over the past decade, with inner London experiencing the steepest decline. High living costs, particularly for housing and childcare, are cited as major factors pushing families away.
4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 58
Local News · BarnetBarnet energy bill support scheme launched
A joint initiative by the Cadent Foundation and Groundwork is launching in Barnet to assist residents with energy bills. The scheme will deploy Green Doctors to offer personalised advice and install energy-saving measures, aiming to benefit up to 9,400 people.
Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 80 · Hype 35