City's living costs drive workers to food banks

13 hours ago 1

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Phil Shepka,Cambridge political reporterand

Nic Rigby,BBC Politics East

Phil Shepka/BBC A picket line in Cambridge outside The Fitzwilliam Museum. Union members with red tabards, some holding placards, stand in a row in front of the railings outside the museum.

The cost of living in Cambridge is making it difficult for some low-paid workers to make ends meet without using food banks, BBC Politics East has been told.

It comes as hundreds of workers at the University of Cambridge are striking to seek a top-up pay supplement. The university said it was open to "constructive dialogue".

Stephen Thornton, chairman of trustees at the Cambridge City Foodbank, said even households with employed people were seeking subsidised food.

"People of modest means really struggle with the very high cost of rent," he said.

"There is an issue about [people on] low pay being able to look after their families."

Unite union member William Ridgeon called for a "Cambridge weighting" supplement to match that paid to equivalent staff at Oxford.

Phil Shepka/BBC A head-and-shoulders picture of William Ridgeon. He is standing alone in Cambridge city centre, with the river behind him. He has shoulder-length brown hair and is wearing gold earrings. He his wearing a blue zip-up top.

Ridgeon, who this week joined the picket at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, told the BBC: "I spend over half my salary on renting these days for what is quite basic accommodation.

"I don't think this is sustainable for me or for any young person on an entry-level job to rent in the city.

"I break even most months, so have no room for saving."

Oxford University has introduced a local pay supplement to ensure workers can afford to live and Unite wants this replicated in Cambridge.

In 2024, a pensionable Oxford University weighting of £1,500 per year was introduced.

Last year, Oxford increased the payment by 15% to £1,730 and extended it to all non-clinical staff, the union said.

A spokesman for the University of Cambridge said: "We understand the challenges around cost of living, and have introduced several measures in response, including a supplement of 2.5% of basic pay for employees on lower pay grades, raising the minimum starting salary for research assistants and increasing paid family leave.

"While we regret the industrial action is taking place, we remain committed to open and constructive dialogue with Unite around pay and other issues."

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