In this week's column, Liz Terry, the leader of Reading Borough Council, explains how monetary support from the government is being used to help those families most in need. Councillor Terry writes:
It’s fair to say the cost of living remains a concern for many households. For many of us, that can mean paying more at the pumps or seeing higher food shopping or energy bills. For others, however, the impact can be much bigger, with people struggling to pay for the everyday essentials most of us are lucky enough to take for granted.
Whether it is financial support, referrals to other help that is available, or advice on how people can make the most of their money, there is more help available in Reading than you might think.
Earlier this year, and with financial backing from government, the council opened its four new Family Hubs which are located in the heart of our communities, at Whitley, Ranikhet, Sun Street and Southcote. If you are a family in the town, they are well worth a visit, offering a wide range of information, advice, support and activities for families, children, and young people all under one roof.
Our new hubs are in addition to the help available at the council’s four existing Community Centres, located at Whitley Wood, Hexham Road, Coley Park, and Lyndhurst.
We are lucky in Reading to be home to an incredible voluntary and community sector network and for many years the council has made full use of their experience in helping to reach people in out in our communities who may not necessarily approach their local council for help. The council spends £1.4 million a year on services from the voluntary sector to reduce inequalities within the borough, including £274,000 a year for Cost-of-Living and Debt Advice services from Citizens Advice Reading where residents can find out what support is available to them and advice on the best way to access it.
In recent years, residents have been used to accessing direct financial support through the government’s Household Support Fund. This year the government has replaced it with a new support scheme called the Crisis Resilience Fund. We are grateful in Reading to have received £2.3 million and plan to use it to bring positive changes to the financial health of residents.
The new scheme moves councils away from the blanket issuing of vouchers and instead focuses resources on those with the greatest need. In Reading, we have designed a local support scheme which still allows low-income households who find themselves in difficulty to apply for financial help. Our Crisis Payment scheme allows residents to apply for financial support for things like food, other shopping, clothing, utilities, and transport, for example. Our Housing Payment scheme allows residents to apply for short term support with housing costs to help them stay in their home or secure accommodation. Residents who are receiving Council Tax Support can also apply for support to avoid falling behind on Council Tax.
Applications for both can be made online at https://www.reading.gov.uk/CRF, by telephone, or by visiting the Civic Offices. Every resident receiving a payment will also have their current financial situation assessed to identify if more support is needed to help them manage their money better in the long term.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the council’s Money Matters page www.reading.gov.uk/money-matters, whether that is advice for residents struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, or Council Tax, on help with energy and water bills or food costs, and help with things like clothing
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