LONDON MAYOR Sadiq Khan sounded a new warning about the spiraling cost of living crisis this morning, as research revealed that black Londoners are nearly three times more likely to have fallen behind on their rent or mortgage.

New City Hall data found that nearly a third (31%) of black people in the capital are financially struggling and one in five Londoners earning less than £20,000 have gone without food regularly or occasionally.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) – the real cost of living measurement for ordinary people – is predicted to reach over 17% later this year, even higher than inflation which is expected to hit 13%, while the Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, who picks up a £500,000 salary, has called for pay restraint.

Last month, Trust for London calculated that four in ten (39%) of black and other racialised Londoners were living in poverty compared to 27% of all households in the capital.

On a visit to the Newham Food Alliance warehouse hub today, the mayor said: “The spiralling cost of living is hitting Londoners harder every single month and, with no sign of this rise in costs slowing down, I’m hugely concerned about the impact that this will have across our city.

“I’m committed to doing all I can to provide support Londoners but with increasing numbers struggling to get by and food and energy prices spiralling out of control, more urgent action is needed.

“With the prospect of a bleak winter ahead, the Government must not neglect the needs of those in our capital. Ministers must act now to help prevent this cost of living crisis becoming a national disaster.”

Last month, research showed black Londoners are almost twice as likely to be going into debt and borrowing from friends and family than white Londoners.

More than 100,000 people have signed a pledge to cancel direct debits to energy companies in protest at gas and electricity bills which are set to rise by 82% in October, and the regulator raising the price cap to over £4,200 amid speculation it could top £5,000 by January.

The Don’t Pay UK campaign say that if one million people to sign their pledge this will push government to act.

So far, the favourite to become Prime Minister in the Conservative leadership race, Liz Truss, said she is opposed to “handouts” for the public for relief on energy bills, preferring to give tax handouts instead.

New research by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change calculates that Truss’s plan would benefit the richest 10% by £93 a month but give only 93 pence to the poorest tenth of society.

Many economists believe record profits are driving inflation. Centrica, owners of British Gas, saw their profits increased by whopping 412% since 2021, while energy bills for consumers have risen by 215% in the same period.

Respected money-saving expert Martin Lewis warned this week of a “catastrophe” caused by rising energy bills.

Yesterday Labour offered a limited plan focused on pre-payment meters with further measures scheduled for next week, but this was attacked by critics as “pathetically inadequate.”

150,000 people have signed up to a new ‘Enough is Enough‘ campaign backed by some union leaders like CWU general secretary Dave Ward, MP Zarah Sultana and the Tribune magazine.

The London mayor has announced £80m this year to help those struggling with the rising cost of living plus a package of welfare advice, some of which will be targeted at black communities.