Cost of Living Crisis Advice and Support

Years of austerity, Brexit, a global pandemic, wars in Ukraine and Iran have dealt a the UK economy successive, harmful blows. With increasing food prices and heating bills, I know this is a very difficult time for everyone.

Since taking office in July, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already announced support for households and businesses, as follows:

• removing VAT on domestic energy bills from 1 October 2026,
• capping single bus fares in England at £2 from 1 January 2027,
• 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.

I continue to work with Government towards long term solutions and a stronger economy.

Below is a list of local resources for anyone struggling to make ends meet. Do contact me if you need further help.

Struggling with energy bills:

In the first instance, speaking with your energy supplier about your bills as they can offer lot of support such as payment restructuring plans and hardship funds. Ofgem offer further advice on their website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/getting-help-if-you-cant-afford-your-energy-bills

These organisations can provide further advice on managing your bills and insulating your home:

• The Energy Saving Trust – https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
• Advice Lewisham – https://www.advicelewisham.org.uk/
• Citizens Advice Bureau – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/get-energy-advice/
• SELCE – https://selce.org.uk/warm-homes-for-less/
• Lewisham Council – https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/environment/climate-action/cutting-down-on-bills
• Mayor of London’s Cost of Living Hub – https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/communities/help-cost-living

If you own your home/rent privately and claim welfare support, you may also be eligible for a Government grant to improve the efficiency of your property through the ECO4 Scheme: https://ukenergysupport.co.uk/eco4-scheme/

For free advice about your finances and debt management:

• Step Change – www.stepchange.org or 0800 138 1111
• Community Money Advice – https://www.communitymoneyadvice.com/ or 01743 341929
• Citizens Advice – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/
• Debt Free London – https://debtfree.london/

Additional support schemes:

• Warm Home Discount – https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme or 0800 731 0160
• Winter Fuel Payments – https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or 0800 731 0160
• Cold Weather Payments – https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
• Crisis and Resilience Fund – https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/benefits/the-household-fund
• Pension credit – https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit or 0800 99 1234
• Fuel Bank at Lewisham Foodbank – https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/contact/ or 07938 071854
• Lewisham Warm Welcomes – https://www.lewishamlocal.com/lewisham-warm-welcomes/

The following organisations can review whether you are receiving all the support to which you are entitled:

• Lewisham Better Off – https://lewisham.betteroff.org.uk/#/home
• Turn2Us  https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
• EntitledTo  https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
• https://betteroffcalculator.co.uk/login for a benefits calculator
• NEA’s Warm and Safe Homes Advice Service (WASH) www.nea.org.uk/webchat or 08003047159

Help with unexpected expenses:

There are some excellent local organisations who can help with unexpected expenses like replacing household items. Lewisham Donation Hub (https://lewishamdonationhub.org/) recycle items such as white goods and the following organisations can offer small grants to people on low incomes:

• Credit Union: https://www.pluscu.co.uk/household-goods-loan
• Community Advice Works: https://communityadviceworks.org.uk/get-help
• Lewisham Foodbank: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/grants-search/