Households fretting about energy bills and the rising cost of living will have the support of three newly announced schemes.
At a cost-of-living summit hosted by Southwark Council on Tuesday, November 8, Council Leader Kieron Williams announced the services.
The schemes are:
Southwark Energy Savers
The council is funding a new Southwark Energy Savers Service. Delivered by Citizens Advice Southwark, this will provide energy advice to those in Southwark affected by rising energy bills and the cost of living crisis. The service will be available face to face, by phone and online to anyone who lives or works in Southwark.
Warm Spaces
Warm spaces are public places where people can go to keep warm, have a cup of tea and take part in an activity. The council is also working with the local voluntary and community sector to provide Warm Packs for residents who are housebound. These contain blankets, hand warmers, slipper socks and and winter guidebooks.
Southwark Cost of Living Fund: Round Two
This is phase two of the council’s Cost of Living Fund, worth £2.7m. It will target residents in need who were not eligible for Government cost of living payments, as well as the most vulnerable residents who may have received these payments but are in need of extra support.
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The next automatic payment will come between January and February 2023. Find out if you are eligible here.
Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “We have an incredible community in Southwark which cares for each other like family and we’re working as a whole borough to address this challenge.
“It is heartbreaking that our residents are suffering poverty and the stress of not knowing how to pay their bills or feed their families. That’s why I am pleased to announce further ways we can support them through this crisis including a further £2.7m of support for local people who are hardest hit through our Southwark Cost of living Fund, plus the launch of our Southwark Energy Savers service and Warm Spaces programme.”
More ways the council is supporting its residents can be found here.