A new multi-agency task force is being set up to coordinate a city-wide effort to provide support for Plymouth families impacted by the rising cost of living.
The task force, instigated by Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet member for Homes and Communities, will include Plymouth’s Director of Public Health, Ruth Harrell and representatives from key agencies including Citizens Advice Plymouth, Food Plymouth, Transforming Plymouth Together, Plymouth Energy Community, Plymouth Children in Poverty Partnership, Plymouth Octopus project, Whitleigh Four Greens Community Trust, Argyle Community Trust, Department for Work and Pensions and Improving Lives Plymouth.
Councillor Smith said: “The rising cost of living is an issue that is affecting many families in Plymouth and we know it is a worrying time for everyone. I’ve been working since July to bring together a wide range of organisations working to address issues such as child, food and energy poverty.
“There’s a lot of good work happening in Plymouth from these organisations who provide advice and support, as well as practical help.
“We want the task force to work together to ensure these efforts are coordinated and make the best use of all the resources available, as well as spot any gaps and generate ideas for what more we can do.
“The new Prime Minister is expected to announce measures to help alleviate the pressure on households very soon, but we wanted Plymouth to be agile as possible in the support we provide so we have been proactive in setting up this group.
“I know all the organisations around the table and their networks want to ensure that as a city we are doing all that we can and joining up our efforts where possible. We also want to make sure any further money that we can secure goes to where it is needed most.
“My hope is this group will be cross party so that this is a combined effort and we get everyone’s input.”
Emma Handley, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Plymouth said: “In recent months, we have reported hundreds of Plymouth residents who requested help with the crisis. We do what we can to address these issues and with a joined-up approach it will help us assist more people across the city.”
“If you don’t have enough to live on, you might be able to get help, see our website for more information: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living/
Plymouth as a city has a joined up approach to tackle many of its challenges, as signalled by the Plymouth Plan. There are already many examples of support being provided across the city such as:
- wellbeing hubs (which offer debt and employment advice, mental health support, volunteer opportunities and signposting to other health services, voluntary and community sector activities)
- Plymouth Energy Community who offer advice and support to households struggling with fuel bills or poorly heated homes as well as signpost people to potential grants.
- Food Plymouth and the Plymouth Food Aid Network work with partners to help people access food-related support such as food banks, food vouchers and eligibility for free school meals and other schemes.
- An online hub with information about a wide range of support available https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/costoflivingsupport
The Government has recognised the challenges being faced and funding has already been provided, for example through the Household Support Fund, which has so far provided free school meal vouchers over school holidays, energy aid through Plymouth Energy Community and Citizens Advice Plymouth, and grants to a wide range of VCSE organisations who provided support to some of the group most at risk of falling into crisis.
Director of Public Health Dr Ruth Harrell added: “A lot of support is already in place from organisations across the city. However, the challenges that people are facing mean that we expect many more people to be struggling and to need help.
“Where possible, we want to prevent people from reaching crisis point by making sure they can access all the support that is out there. But we also need to ensure that support is there for people who need it, if they do reach crisis point.”
The task force will meet for the first time next week and will meet monthly for at least the next six months and likely longer.