Fund announced to help struggling Bolton families
A multi-million pound grant has been allocated to support Bolton residents struggling with the cost of living.
The council has been awarded £4.9m from the government's £742m Household Support Fund.
This fund seeks to help those struggling with higher food, fuel, and other essential living costs.
The new grant, which is available from April 1 to March 31 next year, is a reduction in funds from the previous year.
Nevertheless, the money will support the town's anti-poverty strategy, which aims to alleviate the causes of poverty and break the cycle of debt.
The fund is open to all residents who can apply for support, regardless of whether they are in receipt of welfare benefits.
The focus remains on basic needs and essentials, including food, water, electricity, heating, clothing, and important household goods.
The grant also provides free support in accessing unclaimed benefits, household budgeting, and debt advice, as well as assistance with rent and emergency housing costs.
These initiatives are delivered by various public, charitable, and voluntary sector organisations and businesses across Bolton.
The council has discretion over how to provide this support, with a focus on more preventative solutions that address the root causes of financial struggles.
Read more:
Prosecutors await 'final information' on Bolton Council £900K fraud probe
On street parking charges to rise in Bolton to balance budget
'When you campaigned for a change in government this was not what you were expecting'
Council leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said: "The Household Support Fund has helped thousands of local residents, giving them support with life's essentials.
"We expect demand to be high for emergency support throughout the next year, but we are now able to look at long-term solutions that will break the cycle of deprivation for many in the borough.
"Bolton's anti-poverty strategy outlines our plans, and this extra funding will give us greater scope to deliver our goals.
"I urge everyone who is struggling to cope with debts and making ends meet to check what support is available, which is detailed on the council's cost of living webpage."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Households issued date for arrival of new £200 cost of living payments
Households have been told when they can expect the arrival of new £200 cost of living payments. The payments are known as hardship grants and will be made available by Birmingham City Council. The local authority said applications are set to reopen later this month in June. READ MORE: Nationwide issues alert over £200 payments going out to customers Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join That means households living in the city will be able to make an application to receive the funding. It comes as the latest round of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) opened on April 1. The pot of cash, which is delivered via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), funds such schemes as the one by Birmingham City Council. The council previously had applications running for its hardship grants. But this closed in March, in line with the ending of the previous round of HSF funding. Birmingham City Council has three sets of criteria in order for households to be eligible for the payments. These are that applicants are a permanent resident, be able to demonstrate you're experiencing financial hardship and not have received a £200 payment in the past 12 months - see more here. Advising households on when applications will reopen, a spokesperson for the council scheme said: "Please be advised that enquiries will reopen in late June 2025. "If you are not currently on the waiting list, and it has now been 12 months since your household last received a grant payment, you will be able to submit a new enquiry once the scheme reopens in late June 2025."
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Yahoo
Public consultation on electric vehicle charger and double yellow lines by shops
A public consultation has been launched on the implementation of an electric vehicle (EV) charger and double yellow lines outside a row of shops. The developments would be brought in outside the strip of stores on Highfield Road in Farnworth, which includes Co-op, Premier and more. Bolton Council granted planning permission in July last year for an EV charger and its associated infrastructure such as line markings and electrical equipment. The plans would see two existing double parking bays turned into four EV charge parking bays. As part of the permission, the highways department would need to "carry out a review of Traffic Regulation Orders in the locality where necessary". The proposed yellow lines and parking bays (Image: Bolton Council) Now, a proposed traffic order has been uploaded to the council's website, outlining separate parts for the EV parking place and for double yellow lines. Read more: Raft of new double yellow lines to deal with 'anti-social parking and driving' Read more: Road could be made one way after safety concerns Read more: 'We have this serious issue of cars driven in an irresponsible way' - police respond In its reasoning, it says: "A planning application has been received and has been approved for two electric vehicle charging points outside the shops on Highfield Rd, an area which has a demand for on street parking but also has a turnover with visitors due to the varied nature of the business premises. "This proposal will introduce the associated restrictions, amending existing restrictions to accommodate the new bays. Highfield Road shops (Image: Google Maps) "To secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic in pursuance of the Authority's duty under S.122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984." The council says that any objections or representations should state the grounds they are made on and be sent either by email to highways@ or in writing to Highways and Engineering Division, 3rd Floor, Paderborn House, Civic Centre, Bolton BL1 1UA, no later than June 13. It asks anyone who does so to quote the reference 'TRO303992/JF/web' in all correspondence. This comes after a raft of new double yellow lines was brought in across Farnworth and Kearsley. The development comes as part of a bid to cut antisocial parking and driving. Some of the areas where restrictions were approved include around Kearsley West Nursery and Primary School in Primrose Street.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Homes plan on land set to be sold for £4
Plans to build 415 homes, a hotel and bars on land to be sold to a developer for £4 have been put forward. Manchester-based Watson has applied to Bolton Council for permission to build the scheme at Church Wharf in Bolton. It follows the council's decision to sell the land to the company for £1 per scheme. The council had approved the outline plans for the wharf in 2019, and although the site was cleared, the development did not go ahead. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that the scheme is supported by £5m in funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority brownfield housing fund, which is pledged to help regenerate the long-dormant riverside site. The development is set to be built in four phases. Rob Watson, director of Watson, said: "We are delighted to have submitted plans for such a transformative project. "Church Wharf is not just about new buildings, it's about revitalising Bolton town centre with much-needed housing, dynamic commercial and leisure spaces, together with a hotel that will bolster the local economy, enhancing the lives of the community." Watson is also currently developing Creams Mill in nearby Little Lever. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Bolton Council
