A new scheme to help struggling households access cheap food, free or discounted public transport and a range of budgeting and benefits information, has been launched by Nottingham City Council. Speaking about the new scheme, which has been launched in response to the cost of living crisis, Cllr Adele Williams says: “No one should have to make the choice between eating and heating".
Nottingham has some of the highest rates of poverty in the country and, like the rest of the UK, people are facing increasing prices for food and energy bills, while mortgage rates and inflation are rocketing. Finding the right money help and advice can be a strain on people's mental health, adding to the financial pressure they are already under.
The current situation has led Nottingham City Council to launch a new information campaign to encourage people to talk about money and to raise awareness of the advice and guidance available. Based around a website, it provides a starting point for struggling households, pulling together simple steps everyone can take to help manage their finances.
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Cllr Adele Williams, the City Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, said: “We know that many Nottingham households were already struggling and that the cost of living crisis is going to hit them hard. With our campaign, we want to make sure that people are aware that they are not alone, help is at hand."
Continuing, Cllr Williams said: “No one should have to make the choice between eating and heating; no parent should have to watch their children miss meals because their cupboard is bare; no worker should have to put in 50 to 60 hour weeks, working multiple jobs, just to scrape by. But sadly, with rocketing inflation, energy bills and other pressures, that is the stark choice many face this winter.
"The Ask Lion website provides a useful one-stop-shop for information and advice. It also signposts to the organisations who can provide face-to-face advice and guidance. It is better to face any financial problems with the confidential support of advice services who can provide really practical guidance. And there is help available for anyone whose mental health is being affected by their financial situation too.”
The campaign will signpost people to help manage their finances, providing advice including:
- Taking control of your household spending with a budget plan
- Tips for reducing and prioritising your bills
- Checking the benefits you’re entitled to, using the Benefits Calculator tool
- Finding places that offer cheap food, including community supermarkets, social eating projects and food banks
- Free or discounted public transport in Nottingham with Concessionary Travel Passes or other travel discount schemes
- Benefits for children including free childcare, Healthy Start Vouchers and free school meals
- Signposting support agencies providing free and confidential advice with more complex issues
While a lot of information is available online, it’s recognised not everyone has access to the internet. Therefore, all Nottingham City Libraries provide free access to computers with an internet connection, and free access to wi-fi from personal devices. The advice scheme homepage can be accessed at www.asklion.co.uk/money
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