A further £3m has been set aside for Bury residents to help them as prices rise amid the cost of living crisis.

A total of £3.07m will be shared from the government's Household Support Fund, which will be used to support vulnerable people.

This latest round of money increases Bury's share of the fund to £7.67m.

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Conservative Bury North MP James Daly said: “I know many families in Bury are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising prices caused by global economic pressures including Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“That is why I am delighted that the Conservative government have allocated a further £3,068,400 to Bury Council through the Household Support Fund, doubling down on our Conservative commitment to help the most vulnerable families with rising costs.

“This fund is a lifeline for local residents, and this extension will ensure this vital support is available for families who are struggling for another year.”

The council has welcomed the funding.

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Cllr Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities at the council, said “During this cost of living crisis we have been continually working hard to ensure we can support our residents through the delivery of Bury’s Anti Poverty and Cost of Living Strategy, produced with partners across the borough.

"The government’s Household Support Fund, administered through the council, has supported the delivery of cost of living measures to local residents.

"This has been targeted, including through local data and insight from public service and community leads, to support those residents facing crisis.

"This has been used locally to enable the provision to those eligible for free school meals over the school holiday payments, support to foster carers, pensioners in receipt of council tax support and those who require the use of essential electrical health and care equipment.

"This additional £3m will continue to support Bury Council’s continued work ensuring our residents are supported during these difficult times.

"Work is taking place to review the updated guidance for the fund and to develop local proposals that align to local priorities and existing activities.

"Details will be confirmed during March as the new funding arrangements start from April.

"Information will be circulated including on www.bury.gov.uk/hardshiphelp which brings together local, regional and national cost of living support advice and information.

"While the national funding is welcome we know local residents have continued to face increasing pressures in terms of their income and expenditure, with inflation and energy bills increasingly rapidly in the last year and the government’s Household Support Fund allocation for Bury not increasing in value to reflect this.

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"As such the council have developed and delivered a number of support activities, including:

  • The ongoing funding by the council of Citizen Advice Bureau locally including the provision of a neighbourhood engagement pilot role to provide tailored guidance within community settings.
  • Over £200,000 provided by the council for families to purchase school unforms for 6,000 primary and secondary age pupils.
  • Cost of Living Summits and multi-agency Cost of Living Steering Group with voluntary and community leads.
  • A Cost of Living Community fund to support the resilience of local organisations that are delivering anti-poverty activity with our communities.
  • A Bury Money Advice Referral Tool (MART), has been developed and launched in collaboration with GM poverty Action. This is a simple tool to help frontline staff understand the cause of the financial issues and assist in signposting to the most appropriate local support.
  • The active promotion of Warm Spaces in townships across the borough including through The Bury Directory.
  • The continued delivery of the Bury Support Fund providing crisis payments as emergency local welfare provision.
  • A more sustainable food pantry model has been established across a number of previous food banks – providing greater dignity and choice for residents.
  • Healthy eating for less cooking demos celebrating local affordable food have been carried out in collaboration with Bury Market's Wellbeing and Poverty initiative.

"And recently, the council announced a further raft of support measures including £400,000 of commitments through a new council tax support scheme, a community grant scheme; support fund for children in care and care leavers, and fund for Veterans and cadets.

"Residents experiencing crisis in relation to cost of living pressures can call 0161 253 5400 to access additional information and support.”