North Ayrshire Council

Council continues to support residents through Cost-of-Living Crisis

Millions of pounds in funding has been distributed to residents through North Ayrshire Council to help make a difference to their lives during the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Support has been specifically targeted to address what people need financial help with, covering everything from household bills to access to food with dignity.

The Council has focused on how funding and investment can be used to alleviate the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on vulnerable residents, communities and businesses.

Challenges for residents, communities and businesses have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and economic unpredictability.

This has been compounded by the energy crisis, increased inflation – currently 5.25 per cent - and increased interest rates, and has resulted in higher household prices, which have created hardship and financial exclusion for people across North Ayrshire.

The Council’s top priorities include tackling child poverty and supporting residents through the Cost-of-living Crisis. The three key drivers of child poverty are income from employment, income from social security and the cost of living.

To gauge communities’ opinions on which areas of the Cost-of-Living Crisis they most need support with, a  series of well-attended mini enquiries were held in different locations.

These were arranged through the Tackling Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board, chaired by Council Leader Marie Burns, and topics covered have, so far, included: employability; access to food; childcare and challenges for people living on Arran and Cumbrae.

An enquiry was also held on No Wrong Door - which is an approach geared towards ensuring residents who ask for Cost-of-Living information are directed to the correct support, regardless of who they ask within the Council or partner organisations.

North Ayrshire currently has the seventh lowest employment rate in Scotland at 71.3 per cent compared with 74.7 per cent.

And actions that have helped make life better for people include:

• The Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund, Scottish Government funding of £57,000 for Arran and Cumbrae as island communities have been particularly hard.

• The rollout of the £1.726m EnergySmartscheme to help reduce fuel poverty and boost affordable warmth.

• The EnergySmart Emergency Support scheme, launched in October 2022 to provide assistance over winter. To date, the Council has supported more than 1,400 households.

• The expansion of the Fairer Food Network of 15 larders.

• Through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tenant Grant Fund, the Council received an allocation of £298k from the Scottish Government to help prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies.

• The Scottish Government Winter Support Fund provided an allocation of £867,000 to North Ayrshire to support those most in need with issues surrounding food support, fuel, isolation, welfare fund top-ups, housing and homelessness and

• In March 2023, the Council Budget introduced the Early Intervention Fund as a one-off investment over three years of £400,000 annually to replace the Cost of the School Day support.

Councillor Burns said: “It is encouraging to see that, through various Council funds and Scottish Government support, we are continuing to keep communities’ needs at the very heart of our approach to easing the impact of the Crisis on people’s day-to-day lives.”

At its meeting on November 7, North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet noted the progress the Council is making in developing support, and agreed to accept progress reports on future funds and activities.

 If you need help with Cost-of-Living support please visit the Council’s dedicated webpage at https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/

Here, you will find a wide range of advice on energy, benefits, food and clothing, health and wellbeing and a section dedicated to our business community.

There is also a handy Council information leaflet online here https://tinyurl.com/43bj33ec that gives information about clothing grants and free school meals, Council Tax reduction, Community Larders and more.