Local Faith leaders met with the Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Becky Haggar, to discuss the cost of living and how the council and faith leaders can work together to support residents through the crisis.
Faith leaders from the Hillingdon Inter-faith group, made up of several religious group leaders across the borough, met with the Mayor of Hillingdon to discuss the support available to residents of Hillingdon. Several support options were discussed including Warm spaces, setups designed to help those struggling with heating costs to stay warm this winter.
The Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Becky Hagger encouraged others to help as she shared her reasons for supporting this cause.
“We should always be looking at actively covering the needs of our community, and for the communities to know where to go and what is on offer. This is a pilot scheme that some of the churches are trying out. I am passionate about serving and supporting others which is something we can ALL play a part in.
“We have a dedicated 'Support with the cost of living' section on the council's website which gives residents lots of important information about the schemes and programmes it offers to help support households in Hillingdon.
We are continuing to look at what else we can do and will keep our website updated with any new developments, as well as sharing across the council's social media platforms.”
The planned measures will be part of wider support package including electricity rebates and cash payments to those on low incomes. Millions of Brits begun to receive the cash payments earlier this week, The DWP says payments should reach eligible claimants by the 23rd of November. Those receiving Tax credits will have to wait longer for payments, made via HMRC rather than the DWP.
Lisa Tuckwell a Harefield resident Said; “The cost-of-living payment has been a godsend to me, I have struggled recently because I have been unwell and went into hospital for surgery, the cost-of-living payment has allowed me to stay warm and keep food in my fridge. I really don’t know how those who have to wait for HMRC will cope, I desperately needed the help and waiting would mean choosing between having electric or eating. Without the extra help I don’t know what I would have done, Starve probably”.
The payments have been issued to low-income households to help ease the financial strain placed on them by high rates of inflation and rising living costs.
The government has begun paying the £324 into the bank accounts of those eligible, with millions of others set to receive payments in the coming days. More information on eligibility can be found at www.gov.uk .
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