The soaring cost of living continues to impact households, families and vulnerable residents across Milton Keynes. The latest figures show that one in five people in this country are ‘occasionally, hardly or never’ able to keep comfortably warm – and one in 20 people struggle to buy enough food. Milton Keynes City Council is committed to mitigating the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis and will be spending over £5m to do so this winter. The funding will help people facing food and energy insecurity, and will ensure investment in preventative measures that will relieve the growing pressure on struggling health and social care services.
It has been found that the cost-of-living crisis disproportionately affects our most vulnerable residents, such as disabled people, who as a group are more likely to be unemployed but may have extra costs for energy use or specialist food. In addition, colder homes put people with health vulnerabilities at greater risk of stays in hospital or other care. For children, living in cold homes without enough to eat may mean they do less well at school, which could ultimately limit their life opportunities. These devastating personal impacts not only affect residents directly, but also put extra pressure on services such as the NHS, schools and social care.
Last year, the City Council declared a cost-of-living emergency and spent over £3m supporting projects that provided food, reduced energy bills, and gave other help to our most vulnerable residents. The City Council also recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over, and that more can be done, so plans to extend the support by an extra £5.5m through 2023/24’s Winter Plan.
This year, our expanded support includes:
- Help for children and families – families of children who are entitled to free school meals will be given £15 of supermarket credit per child for each week of the two- week Christmas holiday and one-week February half term. We will also continue the well-attended children’s activity programme, which offers free childcare, food and fun activities, between January 2 and 5.
- Funding charities to help their work go further – the City Council will provide a financial boost to food charities including the MK Food Bank, and to organisations who give residents financial/debt advice, including Citizens Advice, so they can reach more people.
- Helping people who are falling into rent arrears – providing financial help and guidance for council tenants and private renters who are struggling to make ends meet.
- Funding warm spaces – MK’s Parish and Town Councils will be given money to help them run informal activities, ranging from community cafes to social clubs.
- Reducing energy and housing costs – A warmth and wellbeing helpline continues, offering advice to residents on how to get support with energy costs.
Local people can call freephone 0800 1070044, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, to speak to the helpline team, who can also advise on wider issues such as avoiding debt, loneliness, and accessibility.
Those who are worried about their finances can find out what help is available by visiting www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/benefits/cost-living-support
Cllr Pete Marland
Leader, Milton Keynes City Council
