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14th Jul 2022

Brits using washing-up liquid to shampoo hair as cost of living crisis bites

April Curtin

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Rishi Sunak makes a speech to launch his bid to be leader of the Conservative Party on July 12, 2022 in London, England. The former Chancellor was the second high-profile minister to resign from Boris Johnson's cabinet last week setting in motion the events that saw Johnson step down as Conservative Party Leader. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has promised to run the country like Margaret Thatcher if he becomes PM

Brits that are already struggling to pay for food are also desperate for hygiene items, a charity has warned.

Leeds-based charity Freedom4Girls told of how many families are resorting to using washing-up liquid to clean their hair and clothes, while turning down free laundry powder because they can’t even afford to turn their washing machines on.

Inflation is at a 40-year high, and the cost of food, fuel and energy is skyrocketing. Meanwhile, Tory leadership frontrunner Rishi Sunak has promised to use “common sense Thatcherism” if he becomes PM.

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Freedom4Girls founder Tina Leslie told The Mirror that it is “absolutely heartbreaking” to hear of people struggling to afford shampoo and soap.

“Nobody has got any money left after paying the rent and bills,” she said, “It’s horrific.”

And women are suffering even more so as a result of rising costs, Leslie explained.

She said: “If you cannot afford food then you cannot afford period or hygiene ­products. When we get hygiene products donated, they fly out.

“One mother said to me, ‘How am I going to keep my kids clean and supply my teenagers with period products when I haven’t got enough money?

“Everyone is going into debt and the next thing is evictions because people can’t pay council taxes.”

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