Cost of Living

The government has set up multiple programmes to help support families, especially lower income families, through this difficult time.   For more information visit, Help for Households - Get government cost of living support

There is a COST OF LIVING PAYMENT programme, higher NI threshold and lower Universal Credit taper, a 12-month reduction in fuel duty and an increase in the National Living Wage. 

For a summary, please see this FACTSHEET or access the website PORTAL

East Hampshire District Council has also put together advice on COST OF LIVING SUPPORT 

 

Additional Support

People entitled to certain benefits or tax credits may be eligible for a COST OF LIVING PAYMENT

Extra funding has been made available to local councils through the Household Support Fund to help the most vulnerable to cover their essential daily costs, like energy bills. Locally, this is being provided through Hampshire County Council's CONNECT4COMMUNITES programme, with East Hampshire District Council also operating an EXCEPTIONAL HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND for those in exceptional cases of genuine emergency. 

Those on benefits may also be eligible for an interest free BUDGETING LOAN through the DWP to help pay for things such as travel costs or buying furniture and white goods. 

For job seekers, there is a special FLEXIBLE SUPPORT FUND that can help with the costs of finding a job, such as travel, childcare or clothing. More information on how to apply is available via Job Centres. 

There are also useful benefit calculators for people to check they are getting the right help. These include TURN2US and ENTILTEDTO 

 

Energy Costs

Advice for domestic customers from OFGEM

 

Broadband and Mobile Costs

Some providers offer SOCIAL TARIFFS to customers who receive certain benefits. 

 

Comparison Websites

There are many comparison sites to check the best deals for many household costs, including energy suppliers, broadband and mobile providers, and insurance cover: 

https://www.comparethemarket.com

https://www.gocompare.com

https://www.moneysupermarket.com

https://www.confused.com

For further advice and tips go to the Money Saving Expert website, including a weekly email service. More details at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com

To compare food prices across different supermarkets, go to https://supermarketwizard.com

 

Banking and Loans

As not-for-profit cooperatives, community banks can be an alternative way to save and borrow, including the Hampshire-based WESSEX COMMUNITY BANK

Other not-for-profit lenders include the PARITY TRUST who offer a range of loan and mortgage services

 

Debt Advice

Government advice on paying off debts: https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts

MoneyHelper tool to find free debt advice: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt…

Age UK debt service: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/de…

Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/east-hampshire/

CAP UK: https://capuk.org/get-help/cap-debt-help (general advice, with a dedicated Debt Coach for the Alton area)

 

Community Pantries

Community pantries provide groceries at a lower rate than shops and supermarkets. More information on the sites across Hampshire is available at COMMUNITY PANTRIES and includes a service here in EAST HAMPSHIRE

 

Holiday Activities

The Department for Education (DfE) is providing funding to local authorities to coordinate a programme that provides healthy food and activities to disadvantaged children during the holidays, and locally this is being delivered through Hampshire County Council's  connect4communities programme. More information is available at HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

HAMPSHIRE LIBRARIES also offer a range of free events and programmes. 

 

Other ways to cut costs

Tesco Clubcard points can be used towards a Friends & Family Railcard or Senior Railcard (https://secure.tesco.com/clubcard/browse/travel/4294967286.cat?icid=CCSV_Stamp_Travel)

Some discounts available through membership of groups like the AA (https://www.theaa.com/smart-benefits) or RAC (https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/enjoymore)

For tips on how to save money on everyday spending from online shopping, cash back sites to entertainment, go to: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/chat-tips-gold/

 

News

The need and challenges for economic growth

This article was written by Damian and published in this week's Petersfield Post and Herald editions:

"The world is going through a time of great economic uncertainty, following Covid, trade disruption and the effects – direct  and indirect – of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Pressures on the cost of living

This article was written by Damian and published in this week's Herald and Petersfield Post:

"We’ve just passed the longest day, and although many will be looking forward to the summer break, many have also been experiencing travel disruption.