The Council of Europe’s European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has today published a 200-page paper analysing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on social rights across Europe. Building on the reports submitted by the States Parties of the European Social Charter, the text examines the measures taken by the States to mitigate the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, triggered by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in various areas: social protection, employment and wages, housing costs, energy and food, and vulnerable groups. The analysis provides some guidance and recommendations, starting with an encouragement to “design and implement targeted measures for the groups most affected by the crisis, taking their specific needs into account”. Social security benefits and assistance are key elements, which must “remain adequate by adjusting them to keep up with inflation”. The Committee then instructed States to ensure “that minimum wages are set at no less than 60% of the net national average wage”. With regard to housing, States are called upon to ensure “that rents are affordable” and housing benefits are adequate, to “enhance the supply of social housing”, and to “strengthen protections against evictions”. Governments should also monitor energy poverty levels, while also providing targeted support in the short-term and policies in the long-term to ensure stable, consistent and safe access to adequate energy. The cost-of-living crisis “exacerbates social inequalities and undermines individuals’ ability to exercise their rights in essential areas”, underlined Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe. “It is time to act to address it”.