Mould, cold and a community centre offering hope in the cost of living crisis

More than 2m households fell into fuel poverty last year and in one community in north-east England, many must make a daily choice between heating and eating.
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Video producers Maeve Shearlaw and Chris Cherry visited a centre in Shiremoor, North Tyneside, that is supporting people through the cost of living crisis, and saw how mouldy properties and prepayment meters are exacerbating problems for the most vulnerable people.
"The women on a 'war footing' as the cost of living crisis deepens" ► link: www.theguardian.com/global/vi...
You can donate to Support and Grow (a registered charity) here ► www.supportandgrownortheast.com/
00:00 Intro
02:01 COPD, damp and mould
04:39 Heating or eating?
06:08 The mould is getting worse
07:25 Men's mental health group
08:34 The Ann Summers rep
08:53 The cost of living is crazy
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#CostOfLiving #Poverty #Shiremoor #Newcastle #UK #News

[@theGuardian]

You can donate to Support and Grow (a registered charity) here ► www.supportandgrownortheast.com/

[@MrStarsuicide]

In my country 🇺🇸 rent CAN BE WITHELD until the landlords make repairs.

[@susanapol382]

Does King Charles know about this? How can he insist on such an expensive coronation? What is the sense of this?

[@derekheelis4132]

@@MrStarsuicide Mould is not about repairs but about lifestyle. Tenants are responsible.

[@robertjones2053]

​​​@@MrStarsuicide the uk is a damp country. I have a 4 year old new build and my bathroom is black with mould. It's my own fault for showering too long and also not cleaning it off regularly enough. Mould is not specific to rental properties in the UK. Also the government did a survey of homes all over the country to bring in a rental standard but found it was in fair to force landlords to keep properties in better condition than many home owners live in. Its expensive to do repairs and it would just make rents more expensive.

[@Messenger_of_Allah313]

@@robertjones2053 Yeah allways a problem there, at least no Arsenic wallpapers anymore, otherwise they would all be dead like in Victorian times. This is what happens when building too cheap, believe me as a Finnish I know.

[@cynthialangley7338]

It’s not a cost of living crisis, it’s a cost of corporate greed crisis.

[@sansiveria578]

Absolutely 💯

[@pureplay7071]

This is so true and the tories just stand there and allow it to happen, it doesn't need to be like this.

[@catsapp]

Your aristocrats are trying their best to preserve their capital and power. Hello from Russia

[@catsapp]

@@holly7485 Hello West! I love you too )

[@cv507]

nö. itz an bläNet öFF si äpexz ´krysyß??

[@Goatslide]

My 77yr old dad was rushed to hospital last week with hypothermia. He was so worried about his gas bill that he turned all his radiators off,but didn’t tell anyone. He has been in hospital for 6 days now & slowly on the mend. It’s heartbreaking that people are in this situation.

[@beverleymiddleton6120]

I am so sorry, your Dad deserves better. But he is probably a gentleman who worries about debt. And he should not have to.

[@NotoriousPyro]

It's scandalous that people like Michelle Mone are allowed to steal millions in taxpayer's money when that money could have been used to install solar, batteries, and heat pumps into people's houses for free, and build more renewable power stations...

[@pureplay7071]

I hope your Dad is ok, it's sad it's came to this.

[@jennim282]

I hope your dad recovers but he isn't alone in being so concerned about energy costs. I know of quite a few older people who've switched all heating off.

[@Goatslide]

I would love to have my dad at home with me,unfortunately I have no room as i have a severely disabled son & only a 2 bedroom house. He constantly watches the news since covid in 2020,so this has been a worry for months. He will be in hospital for another week.

[@DejanRDWAJ]

I'm a carpet fitter and whenever I go to some upper middle class properties the heating is on and the windows are open. Even when the properties are vacant and being put up to let they still have the heating going on 24/7. And then i go to visit my mum for the weekend and i see her wearing two jumpers, sitting in a cold home and counting every pound just to get by. I myself heat the flat only when my kid comes back from nursery. What is funny to me is that the rich are telling us to save money, go on less holidays, wear jumpers at home when in fact they do none of this stuff and live their lives to the fullest. It is tragic that people who work full time can not afford rent, heating bills. London nowadays is the same like in Victorian times though the poor have iphones now to make them feel a little bit better.

[@46joe]

homes DO need heating and ventilation to keep the mould at bay.

[@claudiaweber4564]

The reason, why mould cleaner, was completely sold out in my town. Ppl don't heat to save and the mould gets via the walls.

[@Robert-cu9bm]

Why would rich need to do it?. Only the people struggling need to prioritise where money goes.

[@claudiaweber4564]

@@Robert-cu9bm Exactly,... they don't care about heating, food and other things usual ppl are struggling with,..... as long money can pay it!!!!

[@bobdebouwer7835]

They were so dumb to vote for deregulation etc

[@abbiebrown2733]

These woman who have set up this charity are Angels . Thank you for the great work you do 💕

[@williamwilson6499]

These women.

[@Charlotte66666]

It's utterly criminal that people are living in such circumstances.

[@carribgirl007]

Yet they continue to follow and believe their politicians.

[@NEWBOTANICA]

@@carribgirl007 alot of us in these situations dont...

[@bobdebouwer7835]

It isnt. They get the result of their voting the last decades.

[@TheRetouchstar]

Why don't the Brits get rid of the monarchy and use the money and resources spent on them to help the people.

[@stealthbum34]

It’s very simple. Stop. Voting. Tory.

[@asmalb6613]

Then they surprise when things like this happen

[@tictoc5443]

You seriously believe the other side can prevent this?

[@robertlucas7107]

IF ITS SO SIMPLE THEN WHY ARE YOU INCORRECT?? THIS IS ALL HAPPENING BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING MONEY, BOTH SIDES WILL DO IT, YOU ARE ALL TOO IGNORANT AND DUMB TO FIGURE IT OUT

[@beaulieuc8910]

@@tictoc5443 no ideas from you then

[@sarahmc8309]

Stop voting all them !!!

[@fern1416]

Black mould is caused by a lack of ventaltion and heating. To fix it you have to find a balance between opening windows and vents and heating the room

[@clairee4939]

It’s rife in badly maintained council properties. To fix it needs special treatment and. maintaining which the local authorities will do everything possible to avoid. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

[@italianstallion9170]

@@clairee4939 overcrowding and tenant lifestyle/denial are the main reasons in my experience of a maintenance surveyor with 18 years experience.

[@-_YouMayFind_-]

@@clairee4939 Yes but there are things you can do yourself

[@dotsgrey]

The cost of heating goes up, yet energy companies make record profits... I dare anyone to explain THAT using Russia/Ukraine as an excuse!

[@monaebreak561]

Are you joking? Demand and supply.

[@robertjones2053]

The record profits were not from uk customers. They were global profits. The main issue in the uk is the energy tax rate is so high so basically we pay the tax bill through higher prices. A 75% tax means they have to make more profits to end up with the same at the end if the year. People forget that with tax. 😂

[@alanbrown6628]

Yeh it’s easy to keep blaming Putin !!!

[@alanbrown6628]

@@robertjones2053 but they’re still making record profits.

[@robertjones2053]

@@alanbrown6628 do you mean the energy companies?? The retailers are not making record profits, the people getting it out the ground are. Also the record profits are outside the UK... UK profits on engery is lower due to regulation and the fact we were not using Russia gas but the germans were. (Until n2 was blown up) 🤗

[@leilanigreenwood5064]

This is ridiculous. People freezing because they can't afford the utility bill. No one with a apt or home should have to go to a shelter to keep warm.

[@chipbuttytime3396]

please delete your comment as all sympathy and donations need to go to Ukraine......... they would do the same for us without question

[@madeleine7411]

I have nothing but admiration for the Brits and how they pull together in crises. Sue is lovely and terribly in need of a house without damp. To see all these people come together is life affirming. I hope the government will figure this out and provide help to those who are really struggling to eat and stay warm..basic human requirements. My heart aches for all those in need.

[@dianehess5520]

This is a world wide problem people on public assistance are the fortunate ones.

[@poppiefleur7425]

It's going to get worse

[@linapesz313]

I think you are actually right

[@pollyanna5354]

£120 on gas every 2wks wow I can only afford £20 a week

[@Simon-qn5wm]

My heart goes out to Sue & her little Dog. Hope she can get some help & get back to a better quality of life.

[@chrisfry436]

I wonder if she was a smoker, many many people I see on these videos are (or were) cigarette smokers that started the copd,

[@mlwtennessee322]

@@chrisfry436 May I ask why it matters at this point?

[@SilviaVanThreepwood]

Same here in The Netherlands.. I always kept my heater on 18°C, always paid around €180 per month for gas. Now, with the new tariff, I have to pay €400 for that same use. So my thermostat will not be above 14°C now, and now I've suddenly found mold in my bedroom despite sleeping with the window opened slightly and opening it fully for an hour every morning...

[@rangermaverick85]

18 is low

[@bobdebouwer7835]

Im in NL too. Dont heat the bedroom. No mould. Do you let sunlight in during daytime? Dont keep the curtains closed

[@-_YouMayFind_-]

How lol we don't pay that much in The Netherlands?? at least I dont. By the way mold doesn't come in one day haha.

[@JoeBloggs-ev2ui]

Spray mould with vinegar and let it dry. Kills it, spores & all

[@upendasana7857]

I'm so glad there are places and people like this who are supporting people in the community.I hope those of us who can support them will. Thsi country is disgusting to have such levels of poverty in such a wealthy country.there are no excuses with wars or cost of energy and inflation,this could be amliorated with decent government intervention and protections for those most vulnerable

[@beaulieuc8910]

The royals need our money

[@jaynekittycat9252]

And the illegal immigrants.

[@user-pd6bd7ir4z]

stop blabbing nonsense, this country is done. The wealth is not distributed very evenly, productivity and per capit income has stagnated for the last 20 years. Even Poland has nearly caught up. Germany is far ahead

[@upendasana7857]

@@jaynekittycat9252 yeah thats right blame illegal immigrants instead of our government.

[@lrsco]

The people who need to watch this,won’t.😢

[@oliver556]

They don't care anyway

[@kenyonbissett3512]

The heat situation reminds me of the book, The Match Girl. The rich in England with heating and plenty of food vs the poor literally dying of cold, mold and malnutrition from lack of food.

[@mariancounsellor]

That division has always existed in most societies though.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@mariancounsellor true! But, the advent of the 20th century with an ever widening middle class and social services was supposed to stop the poor dying of cold and in Great Britain 🇬🇧 dying of chronically bade health. COPD/asthma can be caused by living with black mold. America is no better.

[@DECAGIG]

@@mariancounsellor Yes sadly but not to this extent

[@lovelifesmile]

What I find annoying is I live alone, am nearly 60, earn a low income as I have a physical job and with arthritic pain I cannot work many more hours. Have tried to put money away over the last few years for a pension so I can afford to retire but cannot get any kind of help due to me having put these savings away. I don't drink, smoke, rarely have holidays or go out often

[@rangermaverick85]

Unfortunately victorian houses are poorly insulated. If you stay at home for a long time you need to switch the heating on every couple of hours to maintain 21-22 degrees

[@Abraham_Tsfaye]

When I was in UK. I saw empty boarded up streets under a constant grey sky, litter everywhere. Homeless people sleeping in doorways. Opioid addicts out of their mind and women so drunk they urinated on the streets. It's a sad declined country

[@supershah8111]

And we are still funding Ukrainian while here in Britain we people are struggling to put the heating on. 😢

[@maritnordin6017]

The real question is why heating is so expensive people can't afford it.

[@alanbrown6628]

We need to look after our own people instead of funding other countries, we need to ask ourselves how has this all started, using COVID as an excuse, then the war with Ukrainian and Russia, now a Cost of Living Crisis, it’s all very suspicious 🤨 what will it be next?????

[@CarlosW2000]

"This is not life." These are words people have said for such a long time now. It's just so sad 😞 I myself am struggling with the cost of living, but to see just how much it's severely impacting others makes me feel so sorry 😞 I hope things improve in the future 🙏

[@yoda101]

This makes me sad. The charity is doing such important work. Good video Guardian.

[@elainewhitelock5347]

All landlords whether social housing or private should be responsible to manage mould/damp /condensation problems in their properties.

[@jamesmc1272]

Your wrong. My tenant regularly drys unspun wet clothes on the radiators, now they've got mould, the other couple i had in the house had a tumble dryer. simple self reliance. don't look for someone to blame if the culprit is you. Its not for they state or landlords to be a nanny. self education.

[@luciamixon8119]

Buy a dryer. Charge a few extra dollars.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@@jamesmc1272 if you are making a profit on the let, then maybe chipping in with a trip to the laundrymat might be a good investment.

[@robertjones2053]

​@@luciamixon8119 uk landlords do not supply appliances because of the rules the governments put on landlords. So it's not advice to buy any appliances unless you gift them to your tenant. Which whose going to do that. 😉

[@Sarah-ft8jr]

@@jamesmc1272 sorry I respectfully disagree. Mould is always structural. If you kept your houses in order then no amount of drying wet clothes would cause mould. I’ve lived in 15 houses in my life. Houses all had clothes drying inside on radiators and only one ever had mould and that was due to structural decay on the facias and roof of the house

[@davidnavratil5349]

Just got car insurance renewal policy. I went from £510 last year to £766. That is 50% increase for extra year of no claim bonus earned, driving a 1.0 engine tiny car. What a joke, do they think I shit money every day in the toilet ? I bet they would blame it on inflation... 50%...

[@derekheelis4132]

Hmmm maths lessons needed me thinks!

[@robertjones2053]

Lol I smell Bs or you have have had load of accidents/ points on your license. Mine is £400 for an 18k 1 litre car. My wifes is £350. We are 28 and 27 so not even old. Get on compare the market or you are telling porkies. 😂

[@newbarker523]

@@robertjones2053 I agree. I just paid £263 for full comprehensive insurance (via GoCompare) and will get £38 as I went through TopCashback, so £225/year. OP paying £766 makes no sense! The takeaways are: 1) always shop around, never accept the renewal quote. 2) go via a cashback site.

[@MultiPurplemist]

I've lived in a council house and what's the first thing they say... put the heating on or open a window ffs

[@dorawilliams4628]

Poor people are hurting all over the world

[@rowanbowyer6560]

No one can convince me the government couldn’t subsidise the heating cost for those homes , keeping mould at bay CAN be a relatively easy, quick fix, it would only take a few weeks to sort that mould problem out, keeping it at bay with proper ventilation and heating.

[@R6_YSL]

Sad to see Great Britain no longer Great for so many. Country has fallen and declined so badly its depressing. Depopulation is incoming for many families which is heartbreaking. Homeless on the rise and the government never cared remember that.

[@juliemitchell3013]

You are all so wonderful. Thank you for all your time and patience given to all these people. A little bit of you does make an obvious difference in their lives. Council should Hang their heads in shame.

[@Alcaza1977]

Broken Britain

[@fernywerny1]

the damp and mould in my flat is a joke i take antihistamines every day and all my cupboards are mouldy so all my clothes are damp and i'd have to wash them in vinegar

[@Imfat8888]

the Lady needs a dehumidifier desperatly in her bedroom otherwise her health will decline at a rapid pace, do not place anything against the outside walls like a wardrobe or bed etc as cold air gets trapped behind them causing mould,, wet washing on radiators means all those water particles land on you and your walls and ceilings causing condensation which turns to mould,, if you have a clothes maiden put the dehumidier close to it it will help with the drying and also zap those cold water particles in the room , i would prefer to run a dehimidifier and and add layers rather than sticking the gas on,

[@janinet169]

She has been given 3 dehumidifiers before Xmas and all are in use. The house is rotten

[@mintyg9084]

Dehumidifiers don't work on cold air unfortunately, we had one & learnt that the hard way. They only work on warm air & also cost 50p an hour to run a few years back before the bill price rises. You just can't win this one. Whatever you need to do to prevent mould is expensive at the moment.....

[@Imfat8888]

@@mintyg9084 roll on to the warmer months i say,, you're right its costly to get rid with energy prices, best thing to do is keep washing it off open the window to that room slam door shut and sleep in another room away from the black mould,

[@mellowmarkable]

@@mintyg9084 That's not accurate, dessicant dehumidifiers do work in cold rooms and they also produce heat, so will warm the room up a little. But even a refrigerant dehumidifier will have some effect in cold rooms, just not as effective as a dessicant model. As for running costs, they cost nowhere near 50p an hour - mine costs 7p an hour on the high setting and obviously even less on low.

[@iamme4106]

The struggle is around the world, I live in the Netherland's, the same shit situation!

[@SUSSDUE]

In Sweden too....

[@ep1929]

The EU remainers or "reMOANERS" here blame all the turmoil here on brexit.

[@SilviaVanThreepwood]

​@@ep1929 They're liars, because it's everywhere in Europe!

[@ep1929]

@@SilviaVanThreepwood yes I was sure it wasn't just the UK in this situation.

[@renafielding945]

The charity of these people is awesome.

[@Mrfairchap]

Thatcher's Britain - the legacy.

[@tracyhedges3142]

This needs to be addressed quickly as possible because this living crisis will never end unless the government get of thier own actions and behaviour towards people who are struggling really hard come on government what the hell are you doing please do the needful and right thing to do to help those who have nothing to eat and having a proper roof over their heads let's all get together and raise money for this position that is making people feel so low esteem and confidence in our government should get thier backsides in gear straight away without fuss

[@maryreid4273]

The mould will be bad in the bedroom because that is where people sleep, and breathe out water all night - opening windows, dehumidifying and heating all make a difference, however it's hard to do that last one when you are worrying about affording it.

[@Sarah-ft8jr]

In my experience having lived in a about 15 houses over the last 35 years. It’s always structural. Whilst things like using a dehumidifier, ventilation and adequate heating helps keep the mould from destroying the house, it doesn’t solve the route cause. Landlords should be held more accountable for not dealing with structural issues properly

[@perhapsshellliveafterall]

​@@Sarah-ft8jr totally agree. Years ago we lived in a house that was converted into two flats, we lived in the ground floor flat and within weeks of moving in EVERYTHING we owned was covered in mould. We were told by the landlord that it was due to heating and ventilation but we ALWAYS had the heating on and windows open, we even got a dehumidifier in the bedroom that needed to be emptied twice a day because there was just so much moisture in the walls of the flat. Apparently it's quite common in houses that have been converted, they weren't built to be essentially cut in half and theres nowhere for all the moisture of normal daily living to go. We were in there less than a year before we moved out and had to throw away so much stuff because it was ruined due to the mould, it was shocking, yet the landlord blamed us for not heating the place up properly. I'd never had it happen before or since then. It was definitely the property and such a nightmare to deal with, I really feel for people who have to live in those same conditions 😔

[@Sarah-ft8jr]

@@perhapsshellliveafterall yes we’ve been through similar. Moved into a property that had a bucket in the hallway on our first arrival. Water running down the walls, black thick mould everywhere that had been painted over on the initial viewing. Couldn’t use the 3rd bedroom. Got a surveyor in and he said it’s as though the property had been sat under the sea for years We moved out without paying the last months rent and the landlord threatened us with court action. So we sent a shed load of photos of the mould, all our medical evidence and they didn’t bother us again. The worst part is that we constantly complained and they ignored us, yet they had the audacity to complain about us planting a rosemary bush by the front door.

[@poppiefleur7425]

Taxes are going up in April

[@sarahmc8309]

Yep to find the war ! They have rise something

[@MrStarsuicide]

What goes up must come down . Other than taxes , fees , prices in UK. AS well as the weight of the women in the green shirt at the beginning. 😆

[@stuartashbourne-martin9629]

So I've been told the electricity supply is going up the number 40% as someone who is living in the benefit structure this is causing me sleepless night and also been terrified what do I do yes I've been given some help from the government why was it caused in the first place why wouldn't we know anything I won't be told anything wouldn't you supposed to do when in April the extra money from the government stops that means an electricity bill for me has gone from 60 to 140 now possibly 200 if not 210 all I can do is go without shopping which I do there is no help out there because people could not care less apart from organisations like the one featured am I a unfortunately is Sir Keir starmer I'm looking forward to that next year hardly think is likely to come round personally but I can certainly ask the Labour Party what they are doing already know the answer Torpoint absolutely nothing there is no difference from the Labour Party now and the Conservative Party I'm at I never thought I would say I believed in the many not the few and if you got in anybody voted conservative in this country there's a shower of incompetent individuals it's your fault you voted for them I didn't

[@somersks7221]

And taxes fund all the public services that help these people. Rich people need to be taxed way more

[@kaydavis2310]

I live in a bungalow less than 10m squared. My energy provider keeps wildly estimating fuel usage despite smart meters. Apparently next year's "estimation" is almost £700 Gas, almost £4450 elec😯. My gas I thought was fair but elec?????? It's like the wild west.

[@solomonkane6442]

I'm £665 in arrears but it's my gas bill which keeps fluctuating

[@kaydavis2310]

@@solomonkane6442 which company are you with? If you don't want to give that info, that's okay, I'll respect that.

[@solomonkane6442]

@@kaydavis2310 I'm with EDF Think they're basing their estimates on what my step father used before he passed away

[@tquad64]

Just awful how they treat people!😢

[@saltney17]

the tories are finished

[@combatduckie]

i bet the nonworking, healthy Afghan and Moroccan young immigrants' aka "poor refugees"' rooms are kept heated up perfectly FOR FREE by the taxpayers! it s that way at least here n Germany, "refugees" get EVERY SUM of heating they need paid and pay ZERO themselves whereas German pensionres have to pay it in whole themselves.

[@SUSSDUE]

Same in Sweden

[@claudiaweber4564]

I'm German and agree 1000/with you, I live in UK, because here it is still a little bit better and refugees ate not so highly pampeted, as in Germany. In Germany, you even not allowed to speak out the truth about refugees and their impact on costs.

[@NintenDan.2005]

Finally, someone in this comment section with common sense!

[@elledix3575]

Why sit in light weight pyjamas, an open dressing gown, and sockless feet in winter if you have no heating? Or even if you can afford heating for that matter! Does the person with COPD not have any other clothes maybe?

[@springwood1331]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@claudiaweber4564]

😂👍🏼

[@Noname-oo9gn]

I had my gas cut off almost two years ago couldn't afford it..

[@markdavis13978]

wow i feeling same now worry i stay in my bedroom never go out as much

[@claudiaweber4564]

Go out when you feel cold and have a brisk walk, when you come home, your cold house feels cosy and warm. I always do that , to save energy.

[@stuartashbourne-martin9629]

I don't understand why my first, did not get through are repeated again I live in the benefit structure within the UK I'm terrified every time an envelope comes through the post and I want to know why my electricity bill for one person who is housebound has gone from 60 pounds a month to 154 no response no coming from anybody however the only good thing where I live which I don't understand is the heating is communal that means I pay a certain amount each month and the heating is on whenever I like it thank you Camden Council for looking after disabled people like myself I voted for the many not the few and if you got in the only way to end this is a general election and get rid of them what's a Keir starmer is likely to do within the labour party as it is now is a shame matter of opinion I believe in Jeremy Corbyn and is now been ousted I want to know why ask the Labour Party when they come round here either next year or the year after when this lock decide to have a general election and then hopefully they won't ever get into power ever again I could have told you this in 1979 when that woman came to power she single-handedly try to destroy this country as it was the only decent thing she did for this country Wells no longer with us good

[@justsomeone64]

"Community centre picks up the government's slack" Title fixed Since they're providing the community with the basics like heating. (Which the government is failing to.) Edit: And the corporations that charge us through the teeth are scum

[@stormyweather2807]

Serious question...why is the government responsible for your heating bill?

[@justsomeone64]

@@stormyweather2807 Serious question back... who regulates heating, electric etc? The government's actions have a direct impact as to whether or not we can afford heating.

[@stormyweather2807]

@@justsomeone64 to clarify...why is the government responsible for your heating at all? Utilities are made available to the community, it's your choice to access those utilities. The government doesn't control the cost of whatever energy makes up the majority of your local utilities pricing. The government doesn't control your demand on utilities, you can turn your furnace off for all they care. I'm just not seeing it.

[@iszychurch4711]

I just lied under my bed covers as soon as i got home from walking through the dark from my job. I work 44 hours a week and I'm struggling. I cant not eat because im already underweight and if i lose more ill get even more cold and i go purple/blue. Im only 22.

[@judythorsgaard4388]

Peter Mennell's statement at the end of the video was such a blantant example of CYA bureaucracy. I'm glad to see these people have a caring place to turn to for support. 💞

[@donna6949]

Janine, you are awesome

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

i support mcr council no mould problem in my flat home thanks mcr staff kind cooperative and friendliest

[@chirushetty24]

1 thing i don't get the government pays 67 pounds a month for energy which should reduce ur energy costs incredibly. what i am seeing from my bill is my energy cost is less because of government support than before the energy cost rise. Are these ppl not getting government support?

[@gihankanishka]

This is just fucked up, the suffering of these people

[@MrStarsuicide]

In my country 🇺🇸 rent CAN LEGALLY BE WITH HELD until the landlord makes repairs . Landlords by law would have to pay for any and all mold cleaning.

[@derekheelis4132]

Not true. Mould is moisture caused by lifestyle. It needs to be cleaned off the walls by a weak bleach and water mixture. Unfortunately we are living in times where people sit on their backsides and don't take any responsibility for anything.

[@R8V10]

The problem in the U.K is the policy makers are landlords themselves, and tend to make the rules to benefit themselves.

[@jennim282]

After ww2 esp 60s they built houses in uk on the cheap and didn't think long term. Really they need demolished and rebuilt but they carnt afford to.

[@robertjones2053]

@@R8V10 it's nothing to do with policy. Homeowners pay like 300k for a damp mouldy house in some area of the country. You cant expect landlords to spend more money on a rental then they do on their own house. The goverment was going to bring in a decent home standard for private let's but after 2 years of research and a 300 page report, 4 million private homeowners would never meet the standard due to location and property type/age. Then they found that basically the mould issue is not specific to type of tenure more housing age, location and lifestyle. 🤔

[@tiffanyribbons]

Not necessarily....most of the time the landlords are greedy monsters. Growing up I've heard stories of my family members getting threatened to get kicked out if they pushed for repairs. On the worst side, if they were not citizens they would get threatened with immigration if they tried to stand up for themselves as renters.

[@karensoane5705]

Perhaps a nearby castle could sell some of its gold and crystal and jewelry and donate to this charity?

[@penitent2401]

Which castle? If you mean the royal family, their private family assets including businesses generates billions each year, all goes straight to the government. In return the government pays for their needs and allowance for each active member. The government gets many times more from the royal family estates than what it pays the royal family each year. And the crown are already funding numerous charities.

[@valeriekehrt7566]

No human being should have to live in dangerous conditions. Need to work on figuring out these problems not ignoring them.

[@samcarena4702]

There no food banks in France

[@sansiveria578]

The masses would be out throwing molotov cocktails.

[@karensoane5705]

The compassion exhibited and the kindness and strength of the lady at the start … amazing presentation and so real, relevant and important for health care providers and policy makers to see.

[@alhassanmahmood5358]

Gas and electric and food prices are unbelievably high The tory government is not on the side of the people And Labour keeps loosing elections like a joke

[@jamesmc1272]

Labour and tory have added to your problems, with mass uncontrolled immigration 10million, in 20 years, that's why everything is stretched. i used to vote labour but when Blair let in 500,000 poles and Romanians all my work dried up. Its REFORM for me F the lot

[@Morgan_Layfay]

I'm legit curious, are wood stoves not a thing there? Like are there regulations? I get allot of people have breathing issues but surely some without heat don't and could use a wood stove at least. This is crazy 💔

[@trydowave]

Woodstoves are banned i believe due to pollution laws. Dont quote me on that but I think its true.

[@dianestevens2659]

​@@trydowaveand they couldn't afford the wood or coal anyway. Many councils are banning wood or coal fires

[@stevenwatsham5973]

I think that all new houses are not even built with chimneys these days!.. I have a coal stove in a fisherman's cottage and it works quite well.. Wood stoves are still available to buy but they are expensive..

[@Morgan_Layfay]

@@stevenwatsham5973 they definitely are not, you're most correct about that. I live in the Mojave and any type of fireplace is an aesthetic luxury. I was born on an island of the coast of Washington, I'm very envious of your fishing cottage 🙌💚. Best wishes

[@stevenwatsham5973]

Wood burning stoves are very expensive to buy in Blighty but if you live in a rural area, wood is easy to come by and a lot cheaper than using gas or electricity.. I am ok but I am appalled the way that a lot of people have to live.. Its not funny. Pensioners are found dead in their homes frozen to death because they are frightened to put their heating on..

[@Masud_S_Hoghughi]

I have never turned the heating on in my flat and only take cold showers 🥶

[@beaulieuc8910]

Meanwhile my neighbours are forking out for more cars, buying more properties and planning applications all the time on green belt land, the cost of living crisis does not affect them at all,

[@mariancounsellor]

Any changes in economy don’t affect everyone in the same way as it depends on circumstances. Maybe they have high-paying jobs, savings, or good investments? or they could live frugally? Anyone in a vulnerable position- disabled, unemployed, low income etc. will always be affected economically regardless of whether there is increased inflation or not.

[@dcg590]

So what?

[@claudiaweber4564]

There ate always rich ppl, who take advantage of poor living conditions of the poor ones.

[@MOJORAPSCALLION]

I have mould and roof tiles missing and hanging off (dangerous) and the local authorities won’t come for the mould and reported roof tiles in feb and they can’t come out until May!!! Madness I have multiple chronic illnesses can’t work and fed by tube and have other tubes to survive and locally there’s no help in my area. I can’t afford to put my heating on and I’m always freezing my chest is bad now from the mould. I also have 3 infections for 7 wks the nhs isn’t sorting out and I feel like giving up..

[@tajmahal5572]

Sue you need to walk one mile every day l walk 2 miles every day my skin my health has improved and You need to keep your self busy if you walk your breathing will get better people think to much Be positive don't feel sorry it's not bad

[@sahpem4425]

I’ve always thought black mold from living in impoverished conditions caused my mom’s COPD. It’s dangerous to be around. But when you’re poor or deprived you have no choices.

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

They could clean it up.

[@anuradha4762]

What is very surprising to me, is to see so many elderly living alone despite poor health. Where are the families, kids?

[@dunjaausmosbach4898]

there are many who do not have kids or other caring relatives. Didn´t you know that?

[@laurakillah1]

aww bless. What a brave woman. Time to get you sorted. all the best

[@shazanakhan9807]

The situation is going to be even worse from April everything's going up. Its really hard on benefit which I didn't want to be on, but my masters in nursing refused my license saying I'm disabled to work and they can't adjust breaks at work and deemed me not fit for practice, my diabetes is controlled, anyways I've completed the course and training and they've thrown me away as they have a lot of foreign nurses from abroad to fill in the gaps. I really wanted to work part time and care for my toddler but in life there's always some higher scat that's in authority lol.

[@reader1236]

That's terrible, Shazana. Can the free legal service from Ncl Uni not help?

[@shazanakhan9807]

@@jamiekenleyuk exactly

[@shazanakhan9807]

@S. M thank you for your kind words and info.

[@bournemouthgo]

Her house looks fine, whats the problem? A lot nicer than many peoples houses

[@corrinebayraktaroglu5695]

Black mold and damp along with no heating can stress one’s health. . A place Looking nice isn’t the issue.

[@avenuearmoury]

at least she has enough money for takeaways,no chance of starving to death.

[@lerm4676]

She sure doesn't look like she is rationing food.

[@rowanbowyer6560]

Please if your able can you tell those women especially the First Lady how awful so many of us feel for their plight! I live in Australia and so many here are struggling to pay bills, we don’t have the kind of cold your country has, what absolutely angers me is we live in wealthy countries, yet people are going hungry and homeless. The expensive cost of trying to live is literally killing people! I simply can’t understand how these governments can look at the general public they’re helping!

[@reflexologyfairy]

shocking absolutely shocking!!! Fly over to France and float back on a raft love - You will put in a hotel -

[@lennydicko]

In the last week alone I’ve seen prices rise once again in the supermarket & shops 😮god bless these people who help others 👼🙏

[@oscargrainger2962]

That’s not mould, causing this ladies bad chest. It’s COPD I don’t want to judge but it’s through life long smoking. My 2 brothers died recently because of smoking.

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

These people dare not take personal responsibility.

[@deniseshephard3347]

I do understand how Sue means I to also turn if my heating I just have a oil filled radiator I have to wrap myself up

[@carolpowell6717]

you can put bubble wrap in front of severe black mould until you can get someone out and it stops the smell.

[@edwardwynroberts-ug4yw]

People paying full rent etc should pay a discounted amount if the property is not in good condition, including discounted fuel to heat their homes… more heating is needed to heat up a damp house

[@wendyc5217]

In alot of cases the rent is paid by the tax payers via benefits, so the reduction in rent will not help the individual

[@w1nku]

funny how your royalties live in luxuri?

[@juliaevans9521]

What help is available to the thousands of Council/Housing Association tenants whose heating and hot water charges are set to go up by 300% in just a few weeks?

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

Self help 😚

[@eleanorphillips3486]

a housing association offered me to take a look at a property recently, rented. I would have to say yes or no there and then. When I heard the rents and council tax are increasing I refused.What a way to treat people!

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

@@eleanorphillips3486 Do you expect to be kept?

[@juliaevans9521]

@@eleanorphillips3486 If I had known at the time of viewing I would probably still have gone ahead as I needed a permanent home at the time - and fees would be high in any flat.

[@robertjones2053]

​@@eleanorphillips3486 everyone's council tax is increasing in april. Are you seriously that dumb???? Council tax is for everyone not just council tenants. I paid 2.5k in council tax last year (12 most expensive council)

[@marieke-2736]

Does anyone know what would be the temperature in the house for the problems with mould and coughing to happen?

[@crystaledwards8854]

We keep our home warm and it still has mould, I think it’s inevitable. But the cold and damp, and more dangerous mould I think occur and begin to be detrimental to health at 10C.

[@jolleejones3061]

The problem is they can't afford to keep their homes warm and therefore condensation builds up, add to that not opening windows to get rid of it because as is stated it's cold, then you get a build up of mold very easy.

[@luthen4464]

Humidity levels are what causes the mold issue, 70% relative humidity or above will cause mold growth. Ideally you’d be at 60% or lower indoors. 50-60% is “ideal”. If one can afford to run one, a dehumidifier would do wonders. They do push out hot air as part of the process so they can help to keep it warmer as a side effect of use.

[@petetong3166]

@@crystaledwards8854 same as this tried keeping windows open as council say and just keeps growing so regularly use mould and mildew remover and breathe in the chemicals instead

[@beaulieuc8910]

good question

[@evielou8192]

That poor lady Sue should not be in that house her breathing is terrible she needs medical help. It’s just disgusting the conditions some people are being expected to live in. I do hope she gets help very very soon. ❤️

[@robertjones2053]

He weight is terrible. That is not going to help her breathing. The mould for a uk home was mild. I would say her weight is more of a problem. Plus if she ate less she would have money to put the heating on or pay someone to clean. Etc Yes she was waiting for a repair but home owners wait too. You can help yourself whilst you wait. I have waits 6 months for a builder on my new build. Which I bought. It cost money and people are hard to track down so I put up with it. 🤗

[@mariannevontrapp1063]

@@robertjones2053 Hear Hear!!

[@SUSSDUE]

Yes she is obese, do you not think she knows that? What I see is a very unhappy person who has probably only one comfort , apart from the love of her dog, that does not let her down and that probably is comfort food. Everyone knows it is not healthy but when you are in such a helpless situation as she is, who are we to blame her for eating wrongly? Fat people know very well they ought to eat less and no sugar and fat etc but that is so easy to say for someone who lives in a good home with a good economy. But for someone who has to carry the burden of a lousy economy, severe illness and awful living conditions it is not easy to suddenly start dieting too. Especially as good healthy food that makes you less hungry, like vegetables and meat is probably beoynd her means. Cheap food, like pasta, bread etc, makes the problem worse, but it is probably the only food she can afford. There is no coincidence that there is a correlation between economic poverty and obesity., cheap food contains many carbohydrates and sugar/ fat and makes people obese. It is SO easy for people with a safe economy and social standing to be patronising to those less fortunate. I am full of admiration for the ladies who ran this helpline-they show us the best of humanity!

[@purplequeen1727]

​@@robertjones2053 her weight has nothing to do with it.

[@awpetersen5909]

Devastating

[@FirstLast-db1uf]

Hope is not a plan

[@francesbernard2445]

In the city where I live one of the best community halls here got trashed altogether. Why? When now having to watch this going on in England too. So frustrating and perilous for us all.

[@blancabulgrin5560]

Is this in England?

[@karensoane5705]

I hope Catherine and William go there to visit and help in the kitchen

[@alanbrown6628]

I can’t see that happening, maybe she should sell some of her clothes and shoes and donate all the money to Charities, that are helping starving and freezing people all over the UK!!!!

[@bawasuzuki5966]

Shame Britain has all the 💰 for war...but ppl starve

[@carminezecca6179]

I feel so sorry .......UK is great Country.....soon will be back again to prosperity

[@italianstallion9170]

At least the damp/mould season is over now in the UK with it being late March.

[@kathleenholt6008]

Why don’t people have dehumidifiers? So crazy because it’s such an effective way to manage mildew and mold! Under $100 easy!

[@sakhter4044]

Government should be checking these problems is it the tenants fault or the landlords who is found at fault should be held accountable.if private renting the landlord should be fined heavily if they had been told but didn't do anything. Most houses need to be update the government needs to crack down on this problem.

[@derekheelis4132]

Mould is generally the tenant's responsibility as it's caused by lifestyle.

[@giatasha2181]

No not isn’t it is down to structurepoor ventilation and humid atmosphere. How can you say the mould is her fault. Get a grip.

[@mellowmarkable]

@@giatasha2181 It's mainly the landlords responsibility as they own the property and are responsible for repairs and maintenance. But tenants also have a responsibility - for example fully opening all windows for 15 minutes a day, opening a window and/or using an extractor fan when cooking and using the shower or bath, treating early signs of mould with bleach to kill it, drying washing outside where possible or using a dehumidifier when drying washing indoors, will all help. Landlords could provide dehumidifiers to tenants, especially those who cannot afford their own, as it's in their interest too. Obviously that would not address the ongoing running costs of using one, but they are relatively inexpensive to run compared to heating costs and lowering the humidity should make the property feel warmer which could reduce heating costs.

[@robertjones2053]

​@@mellowmarkable landlord are not obligated to provide dehumidifier to the tenants. They would also have to get the saftey check every year under the regs so most landlords stay clear of providing anything other than a Cooker and heating. Mould is not specific to rental homes it's just a lot of tenants are incompetent and struggle to see what is their problem vs a landlord problem. My friend is landlord and his tenant called him when the sky dish fell off the wall but that's not a legal obligation of a landlord. Etc 😂😂

[@jr5389]

I’m NHS Keyworker I was Evicted to Lock up Garage ON Lockdown @11am 24.03.2020 by North Ayrshire Council…No help no change Mental Health gone 24.03.2023 💀

[@natashabailey1717]

How's sue lovely lady 😊 did the council come and help her we're struggling where we are in the East it's the same all over buy it was so sad too see sue cry 😢

[@karensoane5705]

Associated Country Women of the World is an organization needing volunteers to step up and be involved to be the voice for those most in need. Affiliated organizations such as Women’s Institutes and Country Women’s Councils are looking for volunteers and leaders willing to lean in and participate to expand the strength of these organizations. Please consider getting involved. Passionate, driven, leaders who are ready and willing to be a part of a organization stepping up.

[@redwanulislam6716]

What a shame !! Such breathing exacerbation is truly surprising to see for residents of wealthy countries like UK. As a bangladeshi, This is not the britain we would like / wish to see. I am a copd sufferer. I can imagine how it feels when you are ill with this. Love / dua for this people from bangladesh✊️🫶🤲🤝💪

[@einahsirro1488]

I found myself coughing along with her.