West Lothian's community call to action on cost of…

West Lothian's community call to action on cost of living crisis

Local businesses and community groups have joined forces with West Lothian Council to help tackle rising living costs this winter.

A “call to action” for the community will see a crisis conference, and the formation of a working group to see how local groups and local businesses and council can work together to mitigate the worst impacts of the coming crisis.

The West Lothian Community Planning Partnership (CPP) is a collective group of local organisations which includes the council, community planning partners from businesses based in West Lothian and representatives from the Third/Voluntary Sector.

At a meeting of the CPP Board last week, they reaffirmed their commitment to helping local people. The short life working group is being set up to look at opportunities to support local people through hardship.

A conference is planned so that all partners, the third sector and members of the public can work out how best to support those households experiencing poverty.

Depute Leader of West Lothian Council Kirsteen Sullivan, who chairs the Community Planning Partnership Board said: “What’s clear is that the rising cost of living is going to present enormous problems for households the length and breadth of the UK.

“The scale of the challenge to help tackle these issues at a local level should not be underestimated, especially as funding available to local authorities is limited. The fact is many of the most effective long-term interventions for alleviating poverty sit with national governments, most notably in Westminster. However, we can’t focus on what we can’t control, the council is focusing on what we can do to improve the situation in West Lothian and all agencies must work together to make progress.

“This is very much a call to action. A co-ordinated approach from across a wide range of partners is required to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that we address any barriers that may be preventing us from working together effectively. “We are looking at what other initiatives can be put in place locally, including information sessions, held across West Lothian, on key topics that will provide local people with direct access to information and support.

“This isn’t an issue that will affect one group of people and, equally, the solutions don’t rest with one organisation. This crisis is complex and wide-ranging and that’s why new initiatives, ideas and partnership working is required, and quickly.”

The council has been providing funding to mitigate fuel poverty since the middle of the lockdown last year. From April 2021 to March 2023, a total of £461,000 is available to provide direct assistance to local residents to try and mitigate the impact of fuel poverty. A range of other support will be made available during the winter months through Feeling the Pinch fund, and additional funding for winter clothes.

The Advice Shop is also on hand to provide advice and support to local residents on a wide range of subjects. One of the key areas of work is the Income maximisation service that seeks to improve the uptake of financial and other support with rising costs. It is estimated that £15 billion of social security benefits go unclaimed every year and 45% of people have never checked their entitlement.

If you need support with the increasing costs of living you can contact the Advice Shop to see what support is available to you. You can request a referral online at www.westlothian.gov.uk/adviceshop or call 01506 283 000.