Help is at hand with cost of living

A comprehensive new section added to the Council’s website provides help, guidance and signposting services covering a variety of subjects including keeping warm, health and well-being, community support, food and essentials, childcare support, money and housing.

Useful information is also being displayed in the library at Castle House. The Council is writing to all community centres in the borough asking them to display similar information and elected members are being asked to spread the word in their communities.

People across the country are facing rising goods, fuel energy prices, inflation and other cost of living pressures following the Covid 19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “The cost of living issues are affecting everyone in Newcastle-under-Lyme in a variety of different ways, but the impact of rising prices is being disproportionately felt by more vulnerable residents who are already struggling to make ends meet and are facing very tough decisions on how to spend their money.

“We know that people are worried about the situation. The Council wants to do all it can to help signpost borough households to help that is available which is why we’ve co-ordinated a comprehensive section on our website and also information in Castle House. Accessing help can make a big difference.”

The Council also wants to raise awareness that Council Tax discounts are available to households in certain circumstances, such as if someone lives alone; is on a low income and struggling to pay their bill or who lives in a larger property due to a disability. It also manages housing benefit which can be available to residents if they are on a low income and struggling to pay their rent.

Cllr. Tagg added: “There is already a lot of support available and I would particularly encourage residents to check that they’re receiving all the benefits they’re entitled to.”