Global Inflation is making cost of living pressures worse, with energy badly affected due to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. The Conservative government has reacted with strong measures of support, which have a universal element in the energy price cap and the £400 autumn and winter energy rebate, but which provide the greatest levels of support to the most vulnerable. See this link for the comprehensive household energy support being provided.
Conservative-run West Sussex County Council is working in partnership to support people and families who are struggling the most with the rising cost of living. The Government has provided a further £4.8 million of Household Support Funding, to provide a package of financial and practical assistance to residents in need this winter. Working closely with district and borough councils and charities, we will get help to those most in need.
Household Support Funds will also be available through a range of different distribution methods, including via district and borough councils, direct support through applications via the Community Hub and also distributed in partnership with other organisations including Citizens Advice and Food and Fuel Banks.
The County Council used part of the £4.8m Household Support Fund to provide food vouchers for every West Sussex child who receives benefits-related free school meals during the October half-term holiday. Over 17,000 children were given a £15 supermarket voucher through their school, supporting around 10,000 households. This will continue during the Christmas holidays and the February half-term holiday.
Over the Christmas school holiday, the County Council will again be running its popular Holiday Activities and Food programme for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Over the summer, 2,395 eligible children took part, and this Christmas we will be offering a range of free holiday club places where all children will be given a nutritious meal.
Our West Sussex Community Hub continues to offer direct support and sound advice to vulnerable households, providing essentials such as food and supplies, as well as grants to those who are eligible.
Our 36 West Sussex libraries offer a warm welcome to all visitors. Friendly library staff are on hand to help and advise people on a range of topics, from money management to energy saving, job seeking and benefits guidance. Our fantastic libraries host a range of regular events, like Story Time that is free for families of young children.
Please view this link to the County Council’s comprehensive Here to help - Cost of living webpages, that was launched in October. Here, you can find lots of practical advice and information about how to apply for extra local and national support. If you know people who could benefit from this information, please do share with them. We know this winter will not be easy, so the range and amount of support available to those most in need in West Sussex, is greater than ever before.
Duncan Crow
Duncan Crow has been county councillor for Tilgate and Furnace Green since 2005. He has been Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue since 2019. He has previously been a Chairman of the Planning Committee and of a Scrutiny Committee.
Locally, he is a governor at St Andrews Primary School and represents the County Council on the Crawley Town Centre Business Improvement District. He also represents Furnace Green on Crawley Borough Council.