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COMMUNITY
november 2023
MyWokingham
www.mywokingham.co.uk
Help in the cost of living crisis
W
e live in difficult times. Inflation and high interest rates are affecting many people. Those already struggling on low incomes have been pushed into real hardship and anxiety about paying their bills. Others who are usually better off, have been pushed into the category of ‘just managing’ as mortgage repayment costs rise and families try to get by with much less money available to spend. Even in Wokingham Borough, one of the wealthiest parts of the country, there is abundant evidence of people in difficulties, from increasing demand at foodbanks to problems of mounting debts. Wokingham Borough Council is itself strapped for cash. The inflation and high interest rates that are having such a damaging impact on household budgets are hitting the council hard too. We also have to meet rising demand for our services, partly as a result of the current cost-of-living crisis, but
also because there is growing need for complex children’s and adult services, which can be very expensive to provide. Wokingham’s financial challenges are made greater by the very low level of reliable core funding that we receive from central government. We receive less than any other council in England with a comparable range of responsibilities. The Government defends its low level of support for Wokingham on the grounds that ours is a wealthy area. But that takes no account of the very uneven distribution of the wealth in the borough; we have some very well-off residents, but many more who are struggling. Furthermore, the government takes no account, in its funding formula, of demand for complex services that support children and adults in need of specialist care. Despite these unprecedented financial challenges, the Lib Dems are committed to helping those who need it most, including those struggling in
this cost of living crisis. We are working alongside partners in the voluntary and charitable sector in the Hardship Alliance. This partnership enables us to maximise our help by pooling data, expertise, knowledge and resources. Together, we are able to achieve much more than any of us could do on our own. Most importantly, our collaborative efforts produce better outcomes for the people that we are trying to help. As the winter starts, more people are likely to require help. To tackle this crisis, we need to mobilise all the good and compassionate people in the borough to help those in our community who are struggling. The council can and will play its part in this mobilisation of resources, but working as a community, we can do more. The council has prepared a cost-ofliving toolkit, where we have gathered lots of useful information in one place to help those organisations and people that want to give assistance. You can
find it here: https://www.wokingham. gov.uk/cost-of-living/cost-living-toolkit Those in need of assistance can find help on the Cost of Living Help Hub: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/costof-living Cllr. Stephen Conway Leader, Wokingham Borough Council
Cost of living at Christmas BY WOKINGHAM CONSERVATIVE LEADER CLLR PAULINE JORGENSEN
C
hristmas can be difficult for lots of people for many different reasons. Money worries can cause increased stress and anxiety. I know there will be families across the Borough still feeling cost of living pressures due to high global inflation caused by war in Ukraine. When I’m talking to residents, I encourage anyone who is worried about money to contact the Council to find out what support they are eligible for. Please don’t suffer without seeking advice, help out there. I recently met with The Cowshed and First Days, two excellent local charities, supported by brilliant volunteers. They help people in crisis. I would highly recommend people who are struggling reach out to them. This year Wokingham Borough Council was given just over £1 million from the Government to support people struggling with the cost of living. The Household Support Fund can help with covering the costs of essentials like groceries, toiletries, warm clothes, and energy bills. Families can also get help with free school meals during the holidays. The Conservative Government is helping those that need it by delivering new winter cost of living support, helping vulnerable households with increased costs across the winter months. Nationally eight million households will benefit from Cost-of-Living payments worth £900 in 2023.
Winter Fuel Payments have been increased by an additional £300; nearly three million people will receive a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the £25 Cold Weather Payment has come into effect for the winter. It is important that the Liberal Democrat led Council does what it can to support our resident’s here in Wokingham Borough. Unfortunately, too many times the Liberal Democrats are not making the right decisions for our area. This year the Council has scrapped free parking on Saturdays over the Christmas period at the same time as funding the Borough’s shoppers to
take the bus out of Wokingham Borough. This won’t help struggling small businesses if people in the Borough can take a bus ride for free to Reading or Bracknell and shop there instead of in our Borough. If we don’t support shops in our towns then jobs and livelihoods will be lost. Families especially can feel extra pressure at Christmas. Costs can add up quickly. With extra lights on, heating bills, adverts and shop displays encouraging us to buy more. It’s only natural people want to give their family a ‘perfect Christmas’. Last January a study found that one in five people could still be paying off Christmas debt
at Easter. It’s not always easy but people in debt should, seek help before the situation spirals. There’s lots of advice and help for people who are worried about debt. The Charity Step Change offer free money and debt advice plus support for those struggling with mental health linked to money worries. It’s important to remember Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone, whether that’s because of money worries, loneliness, ill health, bereavement. We should look out for our friends and neighbours. Sometimes a friendly chat can make a big difference. And if you can, please donate items to The Cowshed and First Days – check their websites to see what they need.
