Unplugged?

The UK is a comparatively rich country. Its Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has, however, found that low income households are seriously struggling with the cost of living crisis. In spite of this, the current UK government is apparently considering reducing the inadequate Universal Credit payments, inorder to cut taxes (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/14/millions-of-uk-households-forced-to-unplug-fridge-to-cope-with-rising-bills). The JRF found that 2.8 m UK low income households have ran up debts to pay for food, sold belongings to raise cash and have been unable to replace worn-out clothing. One in six have had to use 'warm rooms' in public libraries and other locations. Two million UK households have even been forced to unplug their refrigerators/freezers, to save money. Forcing folk into penury, or possibly worse, is clearly false economy. It creates expensive health problems, the state has to deal with later. It wrecks educational prospects for millions, hardly preparing such folk for becoming effective agents in the economy. It's even likely to increase the crime rate, magnifying the costs of policing, legal services and prisons.