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The Solicitors’ Charity pledges to monitor cost of living crisis as it hits solicitors in need
As Britain’s cost of living crisis continues to hit hard across all sectors – and in people’s pockets – The Solicitors’ Charity has pledged to monitor the situation in a bid to support legal colleagues who are feeling the pinch.
Household budgets are being hit by soaring food, fuel and energy costs, with inflation at a 40-year high. Pay, including bonuses, was down 0.9% when adjusted for inflation.
With recent news that some of the top London legal firms are providing one-off bonuses to some members of staff to help with the rising cost of living, the charity’s CEO Nick Gallagher commented:
“It’s really important that we monitor the changes in costs that people who need help are experiencing.
“We use the Joseph Rowntree Minimum Income Standard (MIS) as the starting point for calculating our awards to solicitors in need. The MIS is adjusted every year to recognise changes in the amount of money people need to have what the wider public believe is a decent minimum standard of living.
“Even before this year’s changes to the MIS have been announced, we have made one-off payments to everybody that we support financially in recognition of the tough times everyone is experiencing.
“The Solicitors’ Charity is here for solicitors when times get tough. Listening to solicitors about their personal struggles is what we do – we can help to ease financial difficulties brought about by job loss, low income, debt, bereavement, emotional and physical health issues and injuries, for example.
“In addition to the direct help we offer, we work with our partners like LawCare, the mental wellbeing charity, to provide a confidential support service for solicitors when they need somebody to talk to. Our partners at the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme (SAS) can offer free, confidential advice to solicitors facing employment or disciplinary issues.
“It is more critical now than ever that The Solicitors’ Charity continues to monitor the developments and be on hand to help during this time of uncertainty when many legal workers struggle to meet their financial commitments.”
