Rail workers are facing increasing hardship because of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, with trends showing younger people are most affected, needing help with debt support and feeding themselves or their families.
Publishing its Annual Services Report summary for 2022, analysis from the rail industry charity the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) shows:
· 1 in 4 of all RBF cases are people who face losing their homes
· On average, two people came to RBF every month because they couldn’t feed themselves or their families – usually after they had accessed local food banks, meaning that the RBF was their last line of support
· The average demographic has changed from a former railway worker in their 60s in need of funeral support (2018) to a current railway worker in their 40s in need of debt support (2022)
· Total financial support increased by 25 per cent on 2021 and demand has more than tripled in the last five years (204 applications in 2018 to 729 applications in 2022)
· As a direct response to the cost-of-living crisis, the RBF launched the energy support fund, with more than a thousand enquiries received and grants awarded totalling £39,000
The RBF is a leading rail charity which raises vital funds to support people in need across the rail industry in the UK. The RBF offer financial support to current, former and retired railway workers facing crisis such as debt, redundancy, illness and domestic abuse.
Tim Shoveller, RBF Chairman, said: “Last year saw the highest demand ever for our services, with more than 700 applications received – and we see no let up in that so far in 2023. This week is RBF’s Annual General Meeting which is why we are publishing our summary today to highlight the support we give to those who need us the most.
“We are extremely grateful to the many people who support us by donating, fundraising and volunteering. It means we can continue to support railway people and their dependents through difficult times. We provide preventative support for people who might be heading towards unmanageable debt so we are calling on colleagues across the rail industry to work with us to help their staff to prevent debt, associated mental health and therefore impact on their ability to work.”
Claire Houghton, RBF CEO, said: “The RBF, like many charities, has seen a real shift in recent years. While debt support has previously been a significant part of our support, it was unprecedented in 2022, particularly for rent and mortgage payments. The debt cases are more complex as the cost-of-living crisis plunges people into unsustainable financial situations.
“With increased inflation we are now seeing the effects of the pandemic on people’s finances. With the latest Joseph Rowntree Poverty Report1 estimating that 1 in 5 people are now in poverty, the increase in support required for rail people is not surprising and is likely to increase as anticipated in 2023.”
If you or somebody you know needs the support of RBF please contact [email protected] If you want to help or get involved please contact [email protected]
