The support is backed up by the council’s new Tackling Poverty action plan which is being launched during national Tackling Poverty Week. It sets out how this work will continue into the future, despite the critical funding challenges faced by inner London councils like Lambeth.
The action plan has been developed in partnership with local communities and organisations, and set out a long-term, data informed approach to reducing poverty, focusing on getting help early on to those most in need.
Councillor Judith Cavanagh, the Acting Cabinet Member for Finance said: “We’re committed to support the most vulnerable households in our borough. And today we’re, setting out both long and shorter-term ways in which we can do that. This isalongside other new great initiatives such as the government’s rollout of free breakfast clubs. . The council has also prioritised automatically enrolling people for support they are entitled to – like Free School Meals and social tariffs
“These efforts come at a time when the council’s own budget is under severe strain, but demonstrates that we are committed to working hard to protect frontline services that support those in our borough with least.”
Last year Lambeth’s Cost of Living Plan provided 19,500 households over 47,000 units of support, such as free school meal holiday provision, helping residents maximise their benefits and other targeted financial guidance. It also brought £3.2 million into the borough, including £1.6 million to schools and £1.6 million directly into residents’ pockets.
The Tackling Poverty action plan includes the allocation of £4.79 million of Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, by the end of this financial year to support over 32,000 residents. Support includes services to help residents reduce their costs, including their energy bills, increase their incomes and support to manage debts.
You can read the plan in full on the Lambeth Website
