UNISON warned yesterday that the number of public-service workers in need of emergency financial support has shot up since the Con-Dems came to power.

The union’s welfare charity There For You reported that it paid out £12,300 in crisis payments last year, nearly double the £7,000 paid out in 2011 to workers who had no food, no money left on electricity meters or not enough cash to get to work.

In total the fund pays out more than £13,000 a week, helping over 3,000 workers in hardship.

One Unison member, a healthcare assistant, spoke of their situation.

“I have to move as my tenancy is up and I can’t afford to renew, and am desperate to find somewhere to live.

“My biggest worry at the moment is having nowhere to live and not being able to afford anywhere, and also not having enough money coming in each week as my working tax credits have now stopped.

“I can’t afford to shop for food!”