A PENSIONER is living off three tins of beans as the cost of living crisis has left him struggling to survive.
The widower, 91, compared his situation to when Brits could barely afford to eat in the aftermath of the Second World War.
A pensioner is living off three tins of beans
Charity boss James Anderson called the OAP’s situation ‘devastating’
He gets a state pension but does not want to owe anyone money, which leaves him with little cash.
He also doesn’t want his neighbours or family to know that he is struggling.
Pride of Manchester winner James Anderson, who runs a charity providing free heating and plumbing to those in need, visited him at his home in Stockport this week after being contacted by a friend.
He said: “He had three tins of Tesco beans and a pack of spaghetti in his cupboard and that’s it.
“He’d been brought up with the mantra that no matter what you don’t owe people money.
“When he let me have a look in his cupboard it was devastating.
“It’s so sad that we still have a stigma in this country that because we are British we should have a stiff upper lip and not say anything.
“People are dying and suffering because of it.
“When I looked in his eyes I could see that he was lost.
“He says it feels like the world is going back to the World War when people couldn’t afford to eat.”
James worries that the situation for OAPs will get worse this winter when gas and electricity prices are expected to rise again.
He added: “I explained to him that it’s likely the bills are going to go up again this winter and he just looked at me and said ‘if I have to go and join my wife (who passed away) at least I won’t be on the street corner begging for money’.
“That really got me. Wanting to die because you can’t afford to live is the lowest we can make someone feel.
“You shouldn’t want to die because you can’t afford to live.”
James called on the Government to take decisive action to help vulnerable Brits through the crisis.
It comes as the rising cost of living continues to bite across the country.
This week, hard-up Brits were set to receive a £650 cost of living payment as part of a £15billion emergency package.
Last month a wheelchair user told how she was trapped at home because her husband cannot afford to drive the car despite them both working full time.
And it has been revealed that fuel thefts at filling stations hit record levels as pump prices soar.