Britain's kindest plumber has told of his heartbreak after needing pay for a poverty-stricken family's food and gas bills in the depths of the countrys energy crises.
James Anderson, 52, paid provided the family with 170 worth of food, gas and electricity to help them reach their next payday without going hungry.
He said two of the children thought they were going to die from the cold while their sobbing mum and speechless dad looked on helplessly.
The plumber, whose company Depher gives emergency services to vulnerable people, said he was initially shocked to see his breath in the family of fives home last Saturday.
He quickly realised that their woes were far worse than he first imagined as he got a glimpse of the actual poverty they were living in.
But as energy bills sky rocket, the tradesman said similar scenes would soon be replicated around the country and called on the government to act now to stop them.
He said: Where do we draw the line as a society and say, Now we need to act?
Theres a lot of stuff the government can do to cut the cost of living by capping these companies that are charging stupid, extortionate, out of reality rates.
The poorest and the lowest in the country are always going to be penalised and expected to pay the most in the country out of everybody else.
Its wrong, and its time for a change.
James, from Burnley, Lancs., said hed got a call from the family over the weekend as they were struggling to keep their heating on before they reached their next payday.
He said: They rang me to see whether there was anything we could do to help them get through until the next time they got paid.
I said Id pop in and see what I could do. But when I got there, I realised the actual poverty that theyre living in and the impact all this is having on people.
You walk in and youre talking to them, and you can see your breath while youre talking to them.
Theyve got children there. Theyre confused because they dont know whats going on.
The children are like: Why is this happening? Why am I cold? Why cant my mum and dad keep me warm? Why cant they put the boiler on? Why cant they give me a meal."
Worryingly, James said this wasnt the first time that hed been in a home recently where he could see his own breath as families saved money by switching off their heating.
He said: Over the last few weeks, Ive been to a few houses, not just families but elderly and disabled people as well, and you can see a plume of air coming out of their mouth.
Its that cold you can see your words before you can bloody well hear them, and that should not be acceptable in this day and age.
James believes that many poverty-stricken parents were likely to turn to crime to pay for their familys needs if they couldnt make ends meet in the future.
He said: There are two options either go to a loan shark and then they get themselves in debt, and that will drive up the crime rate on that side.
Or even worse, theres going to be more crime with vans, schools, shops getting robbed.
People are going to go out and take stuff that doesnt belong to them to feed their child thats the next stage were going to see.
James said the government should already be aware of families growing financial problems, which he believed may out-live the pandemic.
The government should know this. The prime minister should know this. Its going to create an unstable problem lasting more than two to three years.
Read this article:
Plumber gives family 170 of food and fuel to get through to pay day - Wales Online
- Melbourne-Based Zebra Plumbing Is the Go-To Plumber for ... - Benzinga - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Sen. Kane: The plumber's perspective on Pennsylvania's budget - Broad + Liberty - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Don't Wait for a 'Plumber' to Fix the Financial System - RealMoney - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- 'White House Plumbers' puts a laugh-out-loud spin on the Watergate ... - NPR - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Mario: Is Our Favorite Italian Plumber the Next Big Time Movie ... - MovieWeb - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- From Plumbers to Electricians, the U.S. is Gasping for Skilled Workers - Atalayar - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Veep and White House Plumbers Showrunner David Mandel Fears the WGA Strike Will Be Long and Bloody - Yahoo Entertainment - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- 'White House Plumbers,' 'Silo' Debut: What's Premiering This Week ... - Next TV - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Southampton man launches 200k claim against NHS for loss of sex life - Southern Daily Echo - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Emmy Experts Typing: Will any late release break through in the chaotic limited categories? - Gold Derby - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- The 10 Best Plumbers Near Me | Free Plumbing Reviews Near Me | Angi - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- This is it: Dads brush with death during Geelong Ring Road disaster - Geelong Advertiser - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Its Almost Like an Illusion- Mario Creator Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals the Ideology That Keeps Nintendos Legendary Plumber Welcoming to All Generations -... - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Its the Dynamic of This Guy- The Super Mario Bros. Movie Star Seth Rogen Reasons on the Choice of Donkey Kongs Voice - EssentiallySports - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- How to Hire a Plumber: Qualifications and Costs Forbes Home - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- What does a plumber do? - CareerExplorer - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Plumber Near Me: A Guide to Hiring a Plumber for Your Home - Bob Vila - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Hunt quashes plumber claims insisting he is at SuperSport United to deliver and not for financial gains - Goal.com - January 26th, 2023 [January 26th, 2023]
- Kind-hearted plumber gives family 170 in fuel and food after seeing their 'starving poverty' - Yahoo New Zealand News - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- I saved $500 on a plumber by using three common household products to make the sink drain faster... - The US Sun - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Why More Inexperienced Candidates Are Running And Winning - FiveThirtyEight - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Burnaby resident fuming as city won't cover cost of sewage damage caused by its system - Burnaby Now - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Global Pipe Repair Clamps Market Applications, Types and Future Outlook Report 2021-2027 to Latest Innovations and Major Players are The Plumber's... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Plumbing Devices Market Outlook 2022: Overview, Opportunities, Key Companies and Forecast to 2028 TOTO, Rifeng, Moen, Kohler, Joyou, Jomoo, Jinniu,... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Royal Family: The 22 job vacancies the Queen is looking to fill right now - My London - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Get the Lead Out (of Your Home) - Earth911.com - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Global Plumbing Supplies & Parts Market 2021 Growth, Trends, Leading Players and Business Insights Forecast to 2027 The Oxford Spokesman - The... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Why Hire Professionals For Plumbing Maintenance: Reasons And Benefits - Seekers Time - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- What are the Benefits of Hiring a Green Plumber? - Legal Reader - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Experts explain how to keep pipes from freezing during frigid weather - KSNT News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Peoria plumber shares tips to prevent pipes from freezing this weekend - CIProud.com - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Plumbing Accessories Market Trends, Outlook, Size, Share and Forecast by 2026 | The Plumbers Choice, Oatey, Elmdor, Zurn, Weld-On - The Courier - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- High Density Plumber Tape Market ? What Factors Will Drive The Market In Upcoming Years And How It Is Going To Impact On Global Industry | (2020-2027)... - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Take care now to avoid frozen pipes given the plummeting temps in the forecast - My Ferndale News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Plumbing Parts Market Challenges and Opportunities by Covid-19 Impact Analysis and Future Investments by 2026| HAMAT, ROHL, Dornbracht, Elkay, Native... - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- 5 Tips in Choosing the Best Plumbing Service for Your Home and Business Needs - LA Progressive - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Newswatch 12 - News From Where You Live - Rhinelander Wisconsin WJFW TV-12, WJFWDT 12.1, NBC Affiliate - WJFW-TV - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Redundant South Yorkshire hospitality boss retrains as a plumber to beat the pandemic - The Star - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumber fears his race 'was involved' in client's false accusation over missing 10k - Mirror Online - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- 'I won't employ anyone that refuses vaccination,' claims plumbing boss - LBC - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing the marvels of 'mRNA' in creating vaccines, therapeutics - Dorchester Reporter - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing Fixtures Market (2021-2026) | Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Geberit AG, Jacuzzi, Inc - The... - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing Hardware Market Size By Analysis, Key Vendors, Regions, Type and Application, and Forecasts to 2027 - NeighborWebSJ - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- What To Always Check When You're In Need Of A Plumber - E/The Environmental Magazine - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- The Plumber: Plumbing gifts that keep on giving - The Detroit News - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Company wins contest for product geared to help plumbers - KOLR - OzarksFirst.com - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- GE Appliances Announces New Air & Water Solutions to Serve Plumbing and HVAC Industry - ACHR NEWS - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Drink-drive plumber had been "having a very difficult year" - Hereford Times - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- How to Add Plumbing to Your Already Profitable HVAC Business - ACHR NEWS - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Get Quality Backed, Prompt, and Cost-Effective Plumbing Services from Boyd Plumbing, Inc. - Press Release - Digital Journal - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- The 20-year-old trainee plumber from Wythenshawe hoping to sink Spurs in the FA Cup - Manchester Evening News - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Plumbers, carpenters, welders, mechanics and aerodrome managers wanted to run Australias Antarctic Program - PerthNow - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- West Lothian mum fumes after catching her plumber sleeping on the bathroom floor - Edinburgh Live - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- UFC stars who have other jobs, including McGregor as ex-plumber and Miocic who still works as a firefighter - The Sun - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Who installed the sprinkler plumbing? - liherald.com - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Joe the plumber? No - The Hindu - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Amigo Plumbing and the COVID Comeback - Contractor - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Reasons to Hire A Professional Water Heater Plumbing Company - EndZoneScore - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Parallel Plumbing And Heating Perhaps Your Best Choice - News Anyway - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Superior Plumbing and Heating boasts 40 years of experience - Cut Bank Pioneer Press - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Racist actions, attitudes 'nothing new' on construction sites - Construction Dive - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- "Official Truck of 2020": NKY Plumbing Company Brands Septic Vehicle - The River City News - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbers reveal why people shouldn't use this popular cleaning 'hack' - Western Telegraph - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbing Market: Good Value & Room to Grow Ahead Seen - The Think Curiouser - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Here's How a Local HVAC Company Adapted During the Pandemic - Small Business Trends - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Water Saving Plumbing Product Market Trends, Key Players, Overview, Competitive Breakdown and Regional Forecast by 2025 - Eurowire - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbing Fixtures Market 2020-2027 Global Industry Development Trends and Analysis - The Think Curiouser - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Life Changes: Mission trip to Haiti after earthquake takes Patton Ford from a future in law to plumbing - Northside Sun - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- This trailblazing plumber seeks gains for other minority women in skilled trades - Las Vegas Sun - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- 4 Fast Plumbers, Arlington is taking over the plumbing services in Arlington with their broad and professional services - Press Release - Digital... - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Fifty-Five Students Awarded Scholarships Through the PHCC Educational Foundation - ACHR NEWS - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Do your homework: Household repairs are a recurrent cost and can make us run up huge bills - The Times of India Blog - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Super Mario Bros. 35: How to win and be the last surviving plumber - GameCrate - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbers frustrated by code change that could take away business - The Topeka Capital-Journal - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbing and IOT in South Africa - IT News Africa - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Multi Skilled Technician - Joiner/ Plumber job with The Guinness Partnership | 4642979 - Inside Housing - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbing, HVAC technician jobs expand with fluctuating workforce - WPTV.com - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Luxury Plumbing Fixtures Market Report to 2024 - Trends Insights and Business St - GroundAlerts.com - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Gary Pettus Dies at 70; Used Skills To Bless the Lives of People - The New York Times - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Michigan election jokes? One's about a stool pigeon and a plumber. The other involves Trump. - The Fulcrum - September 22nd, 2020 [September 22nd, 2020]