By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire County Council is due to consider if it can afford to carry on any cost of living crisis support to local households after a Government fund worth more than £5m comes to an end.
The government funding, which was distributed by the county council, provided support for people whose energy, housing and food costs were rising faster than their incomes.
The crisis began in 2021 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a spike in inflation and prices, combined with disruption from the Covid pandemic.
A group called the Financial Resilience Project was set up to co-ordinate the government support that was being given out across Nottinghamshire.
Most funding pots have now come to an end or will do so at the end of the financial year, but councillors want to look at whether some parts could be maintained.
The Holiday Activity Fund – which provided food and activities for children eligible for free school meals during the holidays – is mentioned in a council report as one possibility.
Its funding is due to expire in April 2025.
The report also recommends that the Financial Resilience Project is re-established if the cost of living crisis takes a turn for the worse.
The support will be discussed at a meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Overview Committee next week (July 22).
A total of £5.6m of financial support from the government’s Household Support Scheme is currently being distributed to 300,000 households across Nottinghamshire.
It is part of £500m which is being spent nationally to help vulnerable people with the rising costs until September 2024.
£960,000 of Nottinghamshire public health funding was also used on initiatives including expanding the benefits team and providing grants to voluntary organisations.
The council says it is limited on what it can do on its own due to the financial pressure on local authorities across the country.
The report acknowledges that many residents are still feeling the pinch of the crisis.
A survey of Nottinghamshire councillors in January found that a growing numbers of their residents were struggling, with housing costs a bit worry for younger people.
Some residents said the pressure was taking a toll on their physical and mental health.
Councillors also reported that more people are turning to food bank use, and they worried about low-income families who weren’t eligible to claim free school meals.
Single households, renters and older working people have also been amongst these hit hardest by the crisis.
The county’s Citizens Advice, which offers free financial support, warned last year that many low-income household’s positions were ‘not sustainable’.
Half of all Nottinghamshire people didn’t have the income to cover their essential costs of housing, bills and food, even after being given support.
Free, impartial advice is available from the Nottinghamshire CA online.
