News Articles Archive - Page 30 of 148 - Cross River Partnership

Living Wage Week was celebrated 14th – 20th November. With prices rising at an alarming rate, the real Living Wage has never been more important in helping staff during the cost-of-living crisis.

Paying the living wage and providing security in work by providing guaranteed hours can have a major impact on the lives of employees, along with paying them the living wage for the work they do.

Over 11,500 businesses have already pledged to pay the living wage, why not join them by becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Speed limits of 20mph are being introduced along more roads in Bath to improve air quality. This is hoped to improve walking and cycling in the area. This is the first time 20mph speed limits have been used on busier roads outside of the city centre that predominantly carry through traffic.

New speed limits will be introduced on 14 new roads in the city. The changes follow a consultation last year, in line with the Government’s Gear Change plan.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport said: “Keeping our highways as safe as possible for everyone is a priority for us and reducing vehicle speeds on these roads will help with that.

“We want these new speed limits to encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling as part of our Journey to Net Zero ambitions. Many of us are familiar with 20mph limits, which have been introduced in built up areas in towns and cities across the country and bring benefits to residents living in those areas.”

Article and image from Public Sector Executive

Suffolk County Council have announced that they are nearing completion on a project to replace streetlights with more sustainable alternatives.

The programme will see the council aiming to replace all of the 43,400 streetlights across the county with longer-lasting, more sustainable, cost effective LED alternatives. Not only will this reduce carbon emissions and light pollution, but it will also reduce the monetary expenditure through a lowering of maintenance costs for the council.

The council has announced that the project has already saved over £2.5 million so far, with more expected as the project comes a conclusion.

Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Ipswich, Operational Highways and Flooding, Councillor Paul West, said:

“It has been very exciting to see the incredible progress made on the LED streetlight replacement over the past 15 months. Our partner contractor has shown such resilience throughout which has resulted in a very well-managed programme and successful progress.

“The shift over to these new LED lanterns has enabled the council to save a considerable amount on energy costs and supported our organisations ambition to become a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030.

“I would like to extend my congratulations and thank you to all those working on this project and ensuring its resounding success. I look forward to seeing its continued positive impact in the coming years as we reap the benefits of stronger, cheaper and more environmentally friendly streetlights.”

The council entered a partnership with a global company that would deliver the project, which currently sees around 1,700 upgrades yet to be completed. The council is hoping that 1,200 of them will be completed by the end of 2022.

Another major benefit of the project is that the upgrades will allow the council to have greater control over its own energy consumption. This will not only reduce running costs, but will also automatically flag any lights that aren’t working correctly, reducing the number of night-time inspections needed to discover any faults.

Check out all the support available through the City of London Corporation, including City Advice to help you manage everyday problems, Healthy Start Vouchers and the Emergency support scheme.

Last week, Forbes reported that a survey of 5,000 UK households showed 91% of adults had reported an increase in their living costs compared with a year ago, while almost three-quarters say that costs have become more expensive in the last month alone. Local governments are providing as much support as they can to their residents.

The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has exacerbated the crisis, but the pandemic, climate change/environmental concerns and supply chain problems have also contributed to it.

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham is offering services from free school meals to free adult social care and working with partners to help locals. The council has given £240,000 in grants to 36 local organisations helping residents with the cost-of-living crisis. A third of the funding is for pensioners, while another third is for households with children under 19.

Click here for more information, or subscribe  to the Climate Emergency newsletter, Climate Connects, for useful articles on initiatives.

London Borough of Lambeth’s Household Support Scheme can help if you’re a resident facing hardship, a crisis, emergency or disaster, including struggling to pay bills or afford food. The scheme provides in-kind support such as vouchers.

London Borough of Lambeth can help households meet living costs through high street vouchers, food vouchers, fuel payments, second-hand furniture, refurbished white goods, a handy-man service and removals/storage service.

On 1st October 2022, energy prices for most households increased by 27% and the weather is getting colder. The Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes Programme offers grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 for heating, insulation and ventilation improvements for low-income Londoners who own their homes or rent privately and live in an EPC D-G rated property.

The Mayor is actively working with local authorities and voluntary sector organisations to promote the programme and welcomes support to ensure that eligible households in all London communities are able to access funding. The programme has received over 1,000 eligible applications to date.

Warmer Homes will run until 31st March 2023 and early application is recommended to benefit from the scheme before colder weather hits.

The Bank of Things is a new Young Mayors Project, working in partnership with Lewisham Local, aimed at Young People aged 11 to 25 living in Lewisham. The issue aims to address poverty in the borough of Lewisham and provides vital support for everyday necessities for young people in Lewisham facing hardship.

The Bank of Things is a place where young people will be able to drop in and pick up some of the everyday items they need to participate fully in their lives. The Bank of Things relies on donations, so please donate what you can to support young people in the borough!

There is particular interest in donations for toiletries (e.g. deodorant, tampons and toothpaste) and stationery (e.g. A4 lined refill pads, folders, post it notes). There is also a desire to support over Christmas, so please donate any neutral-coloured gloves and socks, book tokens, pre-paid gift cards and sweets.

This initiative will have greater significance this coming winter with a cost-of-living crisis, rising energy bills and rising food poverty. Latest figures have revealed that 41% of children across London are living in poverty, and many do not have access to vital resources or free school meals. This is the highest rate of poverty in any English region.

This winter, more than ever due to the cost-of-living crisis, WrapUp London need your help. They are looking for warm jackets to help those in need, as well as volunteers to collect them and get them to where they need to go.

This November, they will be bringing together hundreds of volunteers to collect, sort and distribute up to 25,000 coats. A coat doesn’t only provide warmth, it is often a gateway for someone to access services to help them get back on their feet.

Now in its 12th year, WrapUp have so far distributed 197,245 coats! If you’ve got a warm jacket to donate in your wardrobe, take a look at their website to see how you can help this winter.

If you would like to volunteer for collections, either from tube stations, at home or distribution centres, please email wulvolunteers@handsonlondon.org.uk.

As part of the Cost of Living Strategy 2022 and to further support residents during this crucial time, Westminster City Council have provided information on food support services on the cost of living support hub.

The information provided includes details on food banks and places where a hot meal or beverage can be obtained.

For more information on Westminster City Council’s services for cost of living, please see the recently launched Fairer Westminster Strategy.

Archives: News Articles

Living Wage Week

Speed limits in Bath to improve air quality and safety

Millions saved through streelight sustainability

City of London Corporation Support

Support from London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Lambeth’s Household Support Scheme

Greater London Authority: Warmer Homes

Lewisham Bank of Things

WrapUp London

Westminster Food Support Services and Cost of Living Strategy