Councillor Announces Support Package for Low-Income Households
A comprehensive support package has been announced by Councillor Victoria Cusworth to aid low-income households in the region. The initiative, reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a part of the BBC, aims to provide relief to families struggling with the rising cost of living.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, families with children receiving free school meals will be eligible for a supermarket voucher worth £15 per week. This measure is designed to offer peace of mind to parents, who often face financial strain during school holidays. As Councillor Victoria Cusworth explained, "It is a real peace of mind for parents, because they don’t have any more money in the school holidays than they have when the children are in school." (Source: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
The council has also allocated £950,000 to top up local council tax support, which will benefit over 14,000 low-income households. This move is expected to significantly reduce bills for those who are struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, the council has earmarked £500,000 to fund its energy crisis support scheme, providing one-off £250 energy grants to more than 2,000 households.
In addition to these measures, the council has set aside £90,000 to support young care leavers with the costs of food and energy. This targeted support aims to help vulnerable individuals navigate the challenges of living independently. Moreover, £60,000 will be spent on helping local voluntary and community groups distribute food hampers and provide support over Christmas and New Year.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service also reports that a further £100,000 will be allocated towards distributing household essentials to 4,000 households via food banks, social supermarkets, and community programmes. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address food poverty and provide essential items to those in need.
The support package announced by Councillor Cusworth is a welcome relief to low-income households in the region. As the cost of living continues to rise, such initiatives are crucial in helping families and individuals make ends meet. The Local Democracy Reporting Service will continue to monitor the impact of these measures and provide updates on their effectiveness.
The measures announced by the council are set to make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of residents. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council’s commitment to supporting low-income households is evident in its allocation of funds to address the pressing issues of food poverty and energy costs.
