Just so we're clear:

What happens in London and its'assorted boroughs has little or nothing to do with the rest of the country, or indeed the real world.

In the other areas you mention, people would have more money for food and heating if they spent less in the pubs and betting shops. Self-inflicted injuries get no sympathy here!

In my working-class area of Coventry, there are no empty shelves in the supermarkets. Prices in Morrisons, Tesco and even Sainsbury stay affordable because if they don't, everyone will simply go to Aldi or Lidl, who continue to undercut the big boys.. Yes, energy prices have risen, and will rise until the utilities are re-nationalised. The rise in fuel prices means people are using their cars less - is this a bad thing?