The Progressive Alliance which runs Milton Keynes City Council has today announced its
The Progressive Alliance, the Labour and Lib Dem coalition that runs Milton Keynes City Council has announced a £3.3 million-pound Winter Plan to help residents in the city struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.
The City Council is set to provide direct financial assistance alongside practical support delivered in partnership with local organisations.
It comes less than a week after the Labour and Lib Dem coalition declared a 'cost of living emergency'.
The Winter Plan is due to be presented to Cabinet on 1st November and will be broken down into five main priorities:
- Working in partnership to help residents
- Help for children and families
- Help with energy and housing costs including an energy advice helpline and energy improvement home visits.
- Help for residents facing immediate hardship
- Raising awareness of the help on offer
Nearly £1m has been allocated to provide a variety of energy and housing support measures, including an energy advice helpline and energy improvement home visits.
There will also be targeted support for council tenants, renters and those struggling to pay their council tax.
Activities will also be on offer for children when school's are closed.
Councillor Jane Carr, Lib Dem Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for the cost-of-living crisis, said: “This winter, many families will find themselves in an unbearable situation.
"Those on low and middle incomes will be heavily hit, and people will have to choose between heating, eating and debt. We cannot sit by while the Conservative’s cost-of-living crisis leaves lives in tatters, and that is why we are unveiling our Winter Plan today.
"The Progressive Alliance truly cares about the people of Milton Keynes and has brought this plan forward to mitigate the failures of the Conservative Government by doing all we can to support residents through serious financial hardship.”
Councillor Emily Darlington is the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and is Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Milton Keynes South. She added: “Inflation has hit 10%, food prices are rising at their fastest rate in over four decades, energy bills have doubled, and mortgage rates have hit a 14-year high. It is heart-breaking to think that all of this, and complete lack of action from the Government, means that people will struggle to get by this winter.
“Time and time again the Progressive Alliance has stepped up when the Government has failed. This multi-million-pound Winter Plan is a core example of this, and will act as a lifeline for thousands of families facing a difficult winter ahead.”
Last week, the council also announced it had has set around £700,000 for supermarket vouchers to help support families in Milton Keynes.
Families entitled to benefit-related free school meals, in receipt of Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, or who are otherwise identified by schools as in particular need will receive a £15 supermarket credit per child per week for October half term holiday.
This will then also be available during the Christmas holiday and February 2023 half term.
Full details of Milton Keynes City Council’s Winter Plan will be announced over the coming months, and information about support will be available online.
