South Oxfordshire District Council has declared a Cost of Living Emergency and has called on the Government for urgent support following a council motion.
The council fears vital services it provides such as homelessness prevention and community support will come under greater pressure as the authority tries to support residents during these difficult times.
The country has seen average energy bills increase by £693.00 per year and petrol prices close to £2.00 per litre, and yet the Universal Credit £20.00 uplift has been removed and the Government has increased National Insurance by 1.25 per cent – costing the average family an extra £108.00 per year.
Locally, reliance on food banks has greatly increased across South Oxfordshire.
These cost of living increases have also impacted council services, from housing needs to the work of its community hub. Council finances are badly affected by rising inflation too.
Locally the council is calling for a Cost of Living Emergency Summit with stakeholders including Oxfordshire County Council, Citizens Advice, food banks and local MPs, to work towards a community response to the emergency.
The council has a dedicated webpage for cost of living help, which contains information on the different support funds that are available and links to other resources.
