Residents receive cost of living advice at multi-team showcase

Sunday, 17 December 2023 13:16

By David Murphy

More than 150 people came to the latest cost of living showcase held at the Mosses Centre in Bury.

Help and support was offered by a wide range of local community and voluntary groups along with Bury Council.

This included advice about support available through the Household Support Fund, money management, income maximisation, and keeping warm in winter.

Visitors could also find out about job opportunities, foodbanks, mental health services, debt and energy support and budgeting skills, along with clothes and uniform donations, breakfast clubs, housing support, warm spaces, learning English for speakers of other languages and much more.

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “It was good to see so many people come forward for advice, but sad that so many are in this position.

“The cost of living has made life difficult for our residents, and we all need to whatever we can to support those in the most need. We’ve allocated £1 million from the government’s Household Support Fund this year to provide emergency support and to tackle longer term issues.

“And, through our Cost of Living and Anti-Poverty Steering Group, a comprehensive programme of support is available. The council has committed £350,0000 to support households who are financially struggling and not eligible for the current council tax support, and also to help for children in care and care leavers with cost of living.

“These advice showcases are part of this support, getting out to people and provide the help where it is needed.”

For more information about benefits and financial support available, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/benefits