Blaenau Gwent Council continues to provide advice and support to residents struggling with the Cost of Living.
A task group has been working together for over a year to ensure a coordinated approach with our partners to support people, focusing around five main areas: Housing; Food; Fuel; Financial Support & General Support.
This has included:
- Producing a comprehensive information booklet and webpage packed with information on support schemes which were available and how to access them. This was regularly updated to offer the latest advice.
- Working to administer Welsh Government support schemes locally such as the Winter Fuel Support Scheme & the Cost-of-Living Scheme. The Council also used discretionary funding to offer households up to Council Tax band H a payment and an extra payment for household in receipt of Free School Meals.
- Voting to use Welsh Government discretionary funding to make significant contributions to the Blaenau Gwent Foodbank (£30,000); Citizens Advice Bureau (£50,000) and other local food distribution groups (£70,000)
- Issuing payments to households without a direct relationship to an energy supplier
- Helped to organise and distribute funding to Warm Hubs
- Issuing fuel bank vouchers through Community Hubs
- Organising two well-attended Cost of Living events where there was a range of advice and support available for residents.
The Council is currently in the process of updating its website with the latest information on what support is available. This will also be advertised on our social media channels.
Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Councillor Steve Thomas says:
“Many families in Blaenau Gwent continue to feel the effects of inflated costs in fuel, household goods and other bills, especially amongst our most vulnerable families. We made it one of our top priorities to do what we could to support people. Our website has lots of information about the type of support that remains available for people and our Community Hubs are always there for anyone wishing to speak to someone face-to-face about the difficulties they are experiencing.
“I would like to express my thanks to all those who continue to work with our communities to provide help and support during these difficult times.”