Good morning and happy New Year. It’s Isabella McRae here. Welcome back to the first Survival Guide of 2024.

For those of you just joining us, this is The Big Issue’s newsletter exposing the realities of the cost of living crisis with human stories at its heart. We also champion those working to save lives on the frontline and we offer advice for people looking to get support.

The New Year is a time when we talk about change and fresh starts, but the chime of midnight doesn’t come with magic powers. We are still living in deeply challenging times and the cost of living crisis continues to have a harrowing impact on people across the country.

But there is a huge amount of hope to be found in the incredible people who are working to change lives and campaigning for a brighter future. Help is out there. And if we work together to push for change, hopefully there will be better things to come in 2024.

This week, we meet Rob who talks bravely and honestly about his relationship with money and how “harassment” from debt collectors impacted his mental health. We also chat to the director of the Trades Union Congress about activism, the cost of living crisis and what’s next for the UK's workforce.

And read to the end for where to get support to pay your energy bills as prices rise this month…

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Rob's story: 'When I don't have money, I don't eat'

Rob feels like he is both “driving and being crushed under rocks” when the debt collectors start to call, the letters arrive and the emails fill his inbox. He goes into a state of panic. His anxiety skyrockets.

“If you are anxious or depressed,” Rob says, “the feeling of being put upon makes you become more anxious and depressed and you probably won’t move.” 

The communication from creditors has driven him to suicidal feelings, after decades of struggle with his mental health. His vulnerability and the risk it might pose seems to be ignored when companies try to claw their money back.

And he is far from alone. Around half of people facing debt in the cost of living crisis have had suicidal thoughts in the last 20 months, stark research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute has revealed.

The charity founded by MoneySavingExpert's Martin Lewis is calling for limits on how often creditors can contact people about missed payments. 

Rob believes that change is possible – and even just the simplest of changes could save lives. “It’s really easy when we have these conversations to feel hopeless,” Rob says. “I think one of the things the last few years have taught me is that it may be difficult, but it’s not hopeless.”

Read Rob’s story here.

Call Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org for useful resources and advice on coping with your mental health. StepChange provides confidential and free expert advice on debt, as well as tips on budgeting, financial advice, and ways to prioritise your debts. You can find more help on Money and Mental Health’s website.

In case you missed it

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‘A national scandal’: Half of teachers in England work with homeless children, damning poll finds. Teachers are reporting kids missing school or being sleep deprived as a result of homelessness. Here’s the story.

How traditional crafts like clog making and sign-writing are providing an alternative to the 9 to 5. Looking for something beyond the computer screen? Consider clog making. Meet the crafters.

Veganuary: Will the cost of living crisis make us all go vegan? A vegan diet is not only more sustainable, the sharp rise in price of meat and dairy is making it more cost-effective, apparently. Read about it.

5 ways to fix a broken UK – from universal credit to an urgent general election. There’s hope to be found in 2024. We asked campaigners what needs to be done to turn the UK around in 2024. Here's their plan.

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'Activism is contagious': TUC chief on what's next for the UK's workforce in the cost of living crisis

Since the pandemic and cost of living crisis hit, the UK’s working people have been demanding better. Staff in industries right across the economy – such as healthcare, rail travel and education – walked out of their workplaces to strike for better conditions and pay that keeps pace with inflation.

For some, last year was the most significant period of industrial action in memory. Britain has had enough, and the received idea of unions as exclusively white, middle aged and male is changing.

Paul Nowak, general secretary for the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which supports more than 5.5 million people across 48 member unions, spoke to journalist Hannah Westwater about what’s next for the country’s workforce.

He says: “There’s a sense that people are just at the end of their tether. They’ve been working flat-out through the pandemic and beyond, workloads ever-increasing, resources perpetually on the decline, and they’re being asked to do more for less. 

“I think a lot of it is driven by that sense that we’re being told there’s a cost of living crisis, but actually those in the boardroom seem to be doing quite well. And of course, one group of workers sees another group of workers winning. Activism is contagious.”

Read the full Q&A with TUC chief Paul Nowak here.

Energy bills to rise as price cap increases. Here’s how to get help if you can’t afford to pay

Energy bills are slightly up from this month, because the energy regulator Ofgem has increased its energy price cap.

Average households will now pay £1,928 each year for their gas and electricity. That’s a rise of 5% and equates to roughly £7.80 a month extra in comparison to the previous rate.

It’s so important to claim the support you are entitled to. From benefits to grants from charities and your energy supplier, you might be able to claim some extra help to pay your bills. 

You have rights: if your bills are too expensive and you can’t afford them, your energy supplier has a legal obligation to help. 

Find out more about where to get help to pay your energy bills here.