The Cost of Living Crisis
The UK is currently experiencing a ‘cost of living’ crisis, driven by many factors including Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine. Energy prices have more than doubled over the last year and are expected to continue to rise significantly in 2023, and the inflation rate is the highest seen since the early 1980s, affecting the affordablity of most goods and services.
Our Response
Colehill Parish Council has established a ‘Resilience Working Group‘ to look at what support we may be able to provide to help our residents through this crisis, with particular focus on energy bills in the upcoming Autumn/Winter of 2022/23. Updates and advice will be posted to this page as soon as they are available.
Help and Support Available
If you are concerned about the Cost of Living, see the Government’s Help for Households website for details of the help and support available to you.
Many other organisations have also established websites to help:
- Age UK – free and confidential support for older people, their families and careers, including information on housing, money, benefits, health and loneliness. Contact the local Age UK team on 01202 530530.
- Citizens Advice – see their website to check what help or benefits you may be entitled to, or contact them on 0800 144 8848 to speak to an advisor or book an appointment.
- Concerned about your energy bills? – If you think you may have difficulty in paying your energy bill, then see the Ofgem web site for advice and information on grants and benefits that might be available to help you.
- Dorset Council Help and Advice – a page providing useful advice and support on a wide range of topics including: money, food, housing, support for children, mental health, energy and employment.
- Energy Price Cap Calculator – use Martin Lewis’ online calculator to work out what you’ll pay for your energy under the new energy price cap.
- Extra Money for Older People – if you are of State Pension age with savings less than £10,000, then apply by 30th Sept for free shopping vouchers from the Household Support Fund.
- Healthy Homes Dorset – See details of Energy Advice available to all, and FREE insulation for households that qualify.
- Money Saving Expert – 90 ways to save money during this cost of living crisis.
- Turn 2 Us – check the benefits that you may be entitled to
- Which? the consumer association – Tips for energy saving and money saving.
- Pension Credit – all the information including the page to apply for Pension Credit Pension Credit: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)