In 2022, households saw energy bills skyrocket and prices soar as the rising cost of living plagued the nation. Here’s how Southwark responded…
Southwark Council’s response was detailed in their ten-point plan, which included the Southwark Cost of Living Fund: financial support for households in the greatest need. They also promised to ‘tackle the root cause’ of the crisis by providing access to more, better-paid jobs.
Column: ‘Our 10-point plan to tackle the cost of living crisis’
They later added three more schemes to the list: Energy Savers – a bespoke energy-saving advice service; the Southwark Cost of Living Fund: round two – adding further support worth £2.7m; and Warm Spaces – which saw over thirty venues across the borough open their doors to help locals struggling with their heating bills keep warm this winter.
Food banks across the borough persevered with their work, giving “a lifeline” to people struggling to put food on the table.
Peckham Pantry continued to be a shining example, not only of a source of cheaper groceries for anyone but of the strong community spirit in Southwark. The pantry hosted the launch of the nationwide campaign with Co-op which will fund hundreds more pantries across the UK.
WATCH: TV Chef Big Zuu shows his support for Peckham food pantry
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle signposted all the help on offer in his Cost-of-Living Support Booklet. Here he explained how to access energy bill support, local mental health services and council funds including the emergency support scheme – which offers direct payment for goods and services for people faced with a personal crisis.
Neil Coyle releases Cost of Living Support Booklet – a comprehensive guide to the help on offer
And with some light relief, a Walworth family made locals smile again when they covered their house in Christmas lights for the twenty-fifth year, despite a rise in energy bills.
Every year, the Mustafa family raise money for the charity that saved their son’s life, after he was diagnosed with leukaemia at four years old.
“We debated not putting them up this year, because of the way things are at the moment,” Dad Gunaltay Mustafa said. “But we can’t stop after twenty-five years. It’s costing me £70 extra a week, but it’s worth it to see the smile on people’s faces.”
WATCH: Impressive local Christmas lights display shines on despite energy crisis
READ MORE – REVIEWS OF THE YEAR 2022 – below:
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The Weirdest News Stories
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Killings in 2022
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The Most Shocking Stories
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The Funniest Headlines
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How we covered Her Majesty’s passing
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We look back at the people taken from us in 2022
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How we stood with Ukraine
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Labour tightened its hold in the local elections
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Southwark Soapbox hit the screen
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Squabbles over MP Harriet Harman’s succession
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Neil Coyle’s suspension from the Labour Party
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Mass strike action
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Winning the war against the bus cuts
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Primary schools faced closure and the battle to stay afloat continues