An extra £8 million will be spent over the next year supporting Bristolians “most in need” who are struggling with the rising cost of living. The millions will go towards feeding children over the school holidays and helping charities who support people with increasing food and fuel bills.
Prices began to rise rapidly last year and inflation has been in the double digits since last July. The cost of living crisis has left many people struggling with basics like buying food or paying bills, so the government has given out hundreds of millions in grants to local councils.
Bristol City Council has now received an extra £8 million from the Department for Work and Pensions. The cabinet agreed plans to spend the new money in the Household Support Fund on the city’s “poorest people” on Tuesday, May 2.
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During the cabinet meeting, Deputy mayor Craig Cheney, responsible for finance, said: “Bristol’s receiving a further £8 million for those most in need with food, energy and water bills, and other essential household items. £3.4 million will be spent on providing free school meals over all school holidays over the next year, so that’s a great win. £1.8 million will be given to various charities who will assist low income households with food and fuel poverty.
“There’s £100,000 to assist those pension-age council tax reduction households; £698,000 to top up the local crisis prevention fund; £500,000 to top up the discretionary housing payment fund; £440,000 to assist care leavers and foster families with food and heating costs; and a remaining £837,000 which we’ll agree by October. It’s good news — £8 million going to the poorest people in the city and distributed in a way that aligns to our values.”
Labour Cllr Ellie King, cabinet member for public health, added: “I really welcome this. It’s fantastic. I know that a lot of our partners and families who are struggling to make ends meet will really welcome this. It provides a lifeline for them.
“It’s fantastic to see the support we’ve been continuing to give to kids in receipt of free school meals over the holidays as well, just to give them that support during that difficult time. I also welcome the further prioritisation of people with disabilities receiving support, as we know that they’re often disproportionately affected by increased costs of living.”
However, while the council’s website includes a page for the Household Support Fund, it urges residents not to contact the council about the new funding. It says: “Please do not contact us about the funding. Plans for how the money will be allocated are still underway.”
Applications are open though for emergency payments from the local crisis prevention fund. Bristol residents can apply if they have a “one-off financial crisis”, like losing a job or benefits not being paid, that means they have no money for food. This is only open to people who have “no other means of support” from family or friends, and limited to one payment a year. Applications are also open, through the same fund, for basic furniture and household goods.
