A MAN has told how he has to choose between putting his gas on and eating at times as the cost of living crisis takes its toll.

Gary Barney, 47, who is living in Brighton after being released from prison, has said that he might end up back there if he has to shoplift in order to eat.

Gary told The Argus: “It’s terrible, I’ve just come out of prison and the cost of living has made me think I could have to start shoplifting again, because I’m not getting the benefits.

"But they don't mind to nick you when you're shoplifting for food, they'll put you back in prison, if you're in there for a year that'll cost them £36-37,000. They don't want to give you that, but they're happy to put you back in prison.

Gary has just managed to secure accommodation and is attempting to obtain his benefits in order to pay his landlord.

The Argus:

He said: “It’s the first property I’ve had, I managed to get it myself and I don’t want to lose it because where I’ve come from, I don’t want to get back in the mix with the associates I’ve come from.”

On an everyday basis he is seeing a huge difference in the cost of living, which could lead him to do something desperate.

He said: “With gas and electric, sometimes you either put your gas on or you eat, or if you put both on you would need to go and shoplift."

He added that going back to prison could become a reality for him.

His brother Warren has also been affected by the rise, forcing him to move in with his mother and spending more than usual on bus fares due to being unable to drive, he said.