Almost 10 per cent of residents in Lazio are turning off their heating in an attempt to save money, according to figures produced by the regional branches of CGIL, CISL and UIL trade unions.

Using data obtained from charity organisation Caritas, the unions said that 15 per cent of households struggle to make ends meet, running into financial difficulty by the end of every month, while over 38 per cent of families in Lazio could not afford to meet unexpected expenses of €750.

Meanwhile Rome's Catholic charitable organisation S. Egidio has issued a report outlining increasing poverty in the capital, particularly in the districts of Esquilino, Tor Pignattara, Centocelle and Tor Bella Monaca whose residents comprise an ever-increasing amount of immigrants and the elderly.

The organisation also said that in recent years there has been a significant increase in social problems such as unemployment, housing and evictions, and that one in three people in Rome suffers from loneliness.