Rochdale Council approves £15 million cost of living support package

Friday, 11 September 2026 11:37

By David Murphy

Warm space venues are available in Heywood, Middleton, Pennines, and Rochdale

Around £15 million will be spent on cost of living support for Rochdale borough residents over the next three years.

The package, approved by councillors at a recent cabinet meeting, will use money from the government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The funding will provide support for residents in Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale who are facing financial hardship.

Help will include emergency payments, support with heating costs, debt and welfare advice, housing support, food and other essential goods and access to free warm spaces.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the Household Support Fund and provides councils with three years of government funding for locally delivered crisis support.

Money will also be invested in welfare advice, debt support, employment opportunities and other services intended to help residents increase their income and manage household costs.

The Holiday Activities Fund programme will continue to provide healthy meals, activities and free childcare places for hundreds of young families during school holidays.

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Throughout my time as council leader I have ensured we have a helping in place for those residents in Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale who are most in need. I am proud of our work to support low-income families across the borough and this builds and enhances the assistance we have put in place over recent years.

“I am delighted to be working in partnership with the government, helping to alleviate people’s cost of living caused by many factors out of our control. Along with the government’s welcome decision to remove the two-child benefit cap and expand free school meals, this cash injection will ease pressures on household budgets and help to tackle the long-term causes of poverty. My message is clear, if you are facing a financial crisis, please get in touch with the council we are here to help.”

Further information is available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/costofliving.

The council’s cost of living helpline is available on 01706 923685 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.