Focus on cost of living crisis for new council committee

Depute Leader, Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, will chair the new Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee which will focus on tackling inequalities and the rising cost of living as well as the issues communities face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new group meets for the first time next week (Tuesday 16 August) and will also bring together Renfrewshire Council’s Tackling Poverty, Social Renewal and Alcohol and Drug Change programmes.

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron said: “Tackling the cost-of-living crisis is one of our administration’s top priorities. The COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone, but the current cost-of-living crisis is adding to the struggle for many with increased costs putting real pressure on all household budgets. Inflation is at its highest level for 30 years impacting on food and fuel costs and the increases to energy bills are a real concern.

“We know the impacts of this are particularly worse for low-income families. Boosting household incomes is vital, both through supporting people to access quality work as well as accessing benefits and support they are entitled to.

“We’re working hard with our partners to respond to the immediate challenges of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, while developing longer term plans to support those on low incomes.”

Councillor Cameron visited Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau yesterday in Paisley to meet advisors who have been supporting people through the current crisis.

She added: “We have invested more than £10 million in recent years helping those most in need in our communities through initiatives, including our Tackling Poverty, Social Renewal and Alcohol and Drug Change programmes. Our immediate focus now is on ways we can reduce the financial pressure on low-income households in Renfrewshire.”

Martin Fotheringham, Chief Executive Officer at Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “Our advisors have been working hard to support and advise people as best as we can to make sure they get the right support. If anyone is concerned or has any worries either about their situation now or over the coming months, I would urge people to get in touch as soon as they can either by calling us or visiting our website for free, impartial advice. The earlier you seek advice, the more we can help.”

Renfrewshire Council has been working with its partners on a number of initiatives to help support communities during the cost-of-living crisis.

• In partnership with Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, Linstone Housing and Renfrewshire Foodbank, it launched a Fuel Insecurity Pilot which provides additional emergency fuel support to low-income families who are struggling with fuel costs.
• Using funding from the Scottish Government’s Winter Support Fund, it launched the Financial Insecurity Winter Payment, a referral-only payment given to households who are experiencing financial insecurity, particularly due to rising energy costs.
• Its £50,000 Community Food Fund was launched to support local organisations who are developing projects to offer food in their communities. It is now accepting applications for a second round of funding which closes on Friday 12 August.

• Its breakfast clubs provide free breakfasts to children and free food is also available during its Summer of Fun Street Stuff holiday activities
• In partnership with Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, it launched Fair Work Renfrewshire to provide advice on employment and related issues, including benefits entitlement and redundancy
• It funded the appointment of an Affordable Credit Officer for Engage Renfrewshire to give help and support to people borrowing from high cost and illegal money lenders
• It supported food pantries run by RAMH, Star Project and Active Communities in Paisley, Shortroods and Johnstone, providing £25,000 funding to each

The new committee will now look at further ways the Council and its partners can support those most in need.

This includes the launch of the Transition Fund for Parents, Skills and Training Grant Programme and Parental Employment Support Employer Recruitment Initiative which will support people and parents back into work.

The funds were created to improve access to good employment opportunities after data showed one of the main barriers to employment in Renfrewshire was living in a single parent or jobless household with dependent children.

As well as local support, a number of new national support measures have been announced by the Scottish and UK Governments to help, including the Energy Bills Support Scheme which will provide a £400 discount on energy bills to everyone with a domestic energy connection in October, the £20 a week per child Scottish Child Payment and the £150 Council tax reduction.

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau offers face-to-face appointments as well as advice online or on the phone.

If you are unsure what benefits are available to you or need advice and support during the cost-of-living crisis, contact Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau on 0141 889 2121 or www.renfrewshirecab.org.uk or Advice Works on 0300 300 1238.