When she first moved to the UK in search of new opportunities, Aishat (last name withheld) was excited by the endless possibilities. But over the past twelve months, the 36-year-old store manager has struggled – eating just one meal a day and occasionally having no food at all.
Aishat is unable to save money for her rent, bills, and upkeep for her ailing parent back in Kogi State, Nigeria – her home country.
This constraint has become a sobering reality of the African resident community living in the UK as a result of the country’s cost-of-living crisis and next to zero institutionalised support for immigrants.
The Bank of England has predicted that inflation will rise to 13% by the end of the year, alluding that the UK economy is expected to be in recession until the summer of 2023. Ope, a 25 year old student, who relies on her savings from Nigeria, much of which is affected by the falling value of the Naira, and her supplementary part-time jobs in the UK, says her grocery bills have seen over a 100% increase in the past three months alongside her rising energy bills.
“I am worried that after a while, I won’t be able to send money back home to my family and take care of my most mundane needs,” she said.
The influx of Africans into the UK, with South Africa and Nigeria particularly having thousands of nationals living in the region, is a net addition to the UK economy, says Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused geopolitical research and strategic communications firm.
“With rising living costs, a shrinking labour force, escalating pension and health costs, the UK needs to constantly attract new African expatriates into the country in order to be able to keep key aspects of its economy, particularly in the healthcare sector.”
SBM Intelligence reports that out of the total £1.93billion Nigerian students and their dependents contributed to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, £680.6 million was spent on school fees, £408.4 million on rent, £151.3 million on national insurance, £54.4 million on tax of working spouses, £41.8 million on National Health Service and £41.7 million on visa fees.
Ade (last name withheld), a father of two who lived in London for more than 10 years has had to move his family out of the capital as a result of the cost of living crisis. “I had to find a cheaper place to live that will still afford my kids a good schooling experience and a good enough home considering our reality. It hasn’t been easy but we are trying to save as much money as we can so we can take care of the kids and invest in their future,” Ade said.
A body representing leaders in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the NHS Confederation, has said that the crisis is creating a “vicious cycle of healthcare need,” highlighting that illnesses caused by the inability to afford proper food, heating and shelter can lead to dire situations. This is a big concern as Ope adds, “I know a number of African residents in the UK who will eventually be homeless if this crisis continues into 2023. It is very difficult keeping up with the bills, especially coming from a country with a failing currency.”
In 2022, the government announced that eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400 (about $473) spread over the course of six payments to help with rising fuel bills from October, but not a lot of attention is being paid to the African diaspora community in the UK.
African PR consultancy, BlackHouse Media (BHM), says it is extending its services to support Africans in London, Edinburgh, and across the UK, by unveiling a research report that will help shed light on the issues affecting this minority group as a result of the ongoing crisis.
It also wants to show the Government and organisations, especially those targeting the African community, how to understand their pressure points better.
BHM, founded by former journalist Ayeni Adekunle, which began operating in the UK on March 8, 2021, is the first public relations agency from Nigeria, a West African country of 200 million people and Africa’s largest economy, to expand into the UK.
Ayeni says, “While many Africans migrated out of several countries on the continent in search of better opportunities in education and career, there is a need for the Government and the business community to understand the contributions they make to the economy and explore ways to support them as they navigate the cost of living crisis like every other community across the UK. That’s why we embarked on this research to be able to give businesses and Governments insights into the African community and also help to lighten the pressures they’re currently facing.”
“With the research report, we’re excited to do our bit to help the community as we work to ensure more visibility and eventual support for the marginalised group,” said Enitan Kehinde, General Manager, BHM UK.
Having surveyed over 1,000 African immigrants, Robert Ekat, Lead Researcher, at BHM says, “The findings reveal the stark reality of the financial struggles faced by this community, with job security and monthly bills being the top concerns.”
Key data and information from the report capture the grim realities and experiences of Africans living in the UK. Almost 50% of participants admit they are worse off financially than a year ago, with 69% planning to reduce their energy usage, 28% struggling to afford gas monthly, and 24% of respondents planning to cut down on essentials like food.
Furthermore, for many of the Africans resident in the UK, visits to their home countries and mini vacations have become a luxury. In their desperation, respondents have called for strategic support for the plight of African immigrants through interventions and actions by the government and organisations during the cost of living crisis.
The full report can be downloaded on the BHM UK website here.
