New measures to help people struggling with the rising cost-of-living crisis will be introduced in one part of Merseyside.
Wirral Council is set to deliver a £1.7m funding package to combat surging food and energy prices for people living in the borough. The funding will include £1.2m to establish a Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector grants programme to help people who are struggling and £500,000 to specifically increase support to those affected by fuel poverty.
The past few months have seen steep rises in oil, gas and commodity prices, along with fears of rising and persistent inflation. As a result there are increasing reports of people having to make the choice between heating or eating, being isolated in their homes, and having to prioritise food over other basic needs.
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Rising prices and pressure on incomes means people are more likely to fall into poverty, face eviction from their homes and suffer damage to both physical and mental health. The Community, Voluntary and Faith (CVF) sector plays a hugely important role in Wirral, providing a wide range of activities and services to residents which improve health and wellbeing, and contribute to the local economy.
The sector was vital in Wirral’s response to the pandemic and these organisations, which are based within the heart of local communities, are well trusted and respected by residents and will continue to have a pivotal role in supporting local communities this winter. They also understand the needs and issues affecting local residents and can see where additional financial support will be most effective, and the Council is supporting them in their crucial work.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Janette Williamson, said: “People are facing an incredibly difficult winter and it is both heart-breaking and unacceptable to see so many of our residents already struggling, so it is vital that the Council steps forward and uses whatever resources are available to it to help.
“We are also working with the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector who have already made such a difference to their communities and we will be supporting them continuing to help those who need it.”
The £1.2m CVF Sector grants programme will aim to mitigate the impact on people already experiencing financial hardship, to prevent others from becoming financially insecure and to prepare to support people when they need help. It will go alongside national government funding packages of support to date and in the future.
All applications will be asked to address at least one of: food poverty, fuel poverty, warm hubs, debt and vulnerable groups. The grants programme will launch by the end of September 2022. The grants programme will be funded in 2022/23 through the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) grant, provided to local authorities by national government.
There will also be a further £500,000 to specifically increase support those affected by fuel poverty and enable local organisations already addressing fuel poverty to develop additional capacity to provide support in response to the evolving fuel crisis. Applications for funding will request that practical winter home packs be supplied to support people to stay warm in their own homes.
Further details of how to apply will be made available shortly.
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