Over 1,500 households in the borough have benefited from the £1 million fund designed to support residents with the increasing cost of living. Since July 2022 £996,425 has been paid out, with the final applications being processed.

The support for residents through grants of up to £1,000 were awarded to households on an income under £25,000 to help with payments for food and energy.

Additional assistance is available through Citizens Advice which was awarded £55,000 in order to support the borough’s residents with the cost of living. The organisation which spans Basingstoke and Tadley has reported additional demand on their services.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Cllr John Izett said “This council is one of the very few able to give extra help to its residents hardest hit by the escalating cost of living. These grants have provided real help for food and energy bills, while the ongoing funding for partners makes sure that residents can continue to access advice and support. In view of ongoing living cost inflation, I am pleased that in the budget last month this council approved allocation of a further grant of £1 million to help residents with food, fuel and potentially transport to work costs."

Assistance is still available to residents who are struggling, with the council website providing links to local, regional and national support with a wide range of resources www.basingstoke.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support