Welcome to the LGA's new bulletin featuring news and updates from across the sector on a wide range of topics around the cost of living, including what the LGA is doing to support councils and communities.  

Today Ofgem announced the energy price cap from 1 October will be £3,549, an increase of £1,578. It is predicted this rise will leave 45 million people spending more than 10 per cent of their net income on energy and potentially around one in four people unable to afford their energy bill. 

In light of the announcement, we have focused this edition on the work of councils and the LGA to support residents with rising energy costs, improve domestic energy efficiency, and protect the most vulnerable from the health, social and economic consequences of being unable to heat their home.

The LGA continues to work with the Government to try and ensure cost of living measures are sustainable, effective, and recognise the vital role councils play in supporting their communities. You can find our main cost of living policy asks on our website. 

Cost of living hub 

This month the LGA launched a cost of living hub that has been designed to share best practice and help councils to support their residents with the rise in the cost of living. You can find a wide range of case studies and resources on topics including fuel and food poverty, money and debt, housing and employment. If you would like to share something you are working on in your local area, email welfare@local.gov.uk. 

Whole-systems approach to rising cost of living 

The LGA has launched an additional project to capture examples of councils taking a whole-systems approach to the rising cost of living. We are looking to select up to 10 councils who are working strategically with partners to address immediate hardship and increase the financial resilience and wellbeing of their residents. Case studies will be written by the LGA and included in a publication on our website. If you would like your council to be considered for this project, contact welfare@local.gov.uk. 

Cost of Living Network 

We are launching a new Cost of Living Network in September. The network will meet once a month and offer you the opportunity to hear from speakers from other councils, national charities, public bodies and government departments. It will explore what is being done to help mitigate the impacts of the rising cost of living and build stronger local communities. If you are interested in joining complete our sign-up form.  

Retrofitting fuel poor households tool 

We have developed a retrofitting fuel poor households tool which supports councils to think about what they can achieve by improving homes to EPC C rating. It can tell you how many fuel poor households there are in your local area, how much investment would be required to retrofit them, and the carbon savings and savings to the NHS generated by doing so.

Financing Green Ambitions 

The LGA’s Financing Green Ambitions guide summarises the funding opportunities available to councils to support retrofitting activity for fuel-poor households.

Brighton & Hove City Council: Council tax rebate donation scheme 

Brighton & Hove Council have identified a number of households who said they do not need the energy council tax rebate which is intended to help with fuel bills. In response, the Council supported Brighton & Hove Citizen’s Advice and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership to launch the Brighton & Hove Cost of Living Crisis Appeal. The scheme has so far raised £35,600 which will go directly to supporting the most vulnerable households in the area. 

Call for further cash support 

The Committee for Fuel Poverty, an advisory non-departmental public body, wrote to BEIS urging the Government to reconsider whether further cash support is needed to support vulnerable households this winter. The letter highlights that the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme was announced at a time when the energy price cap was expected to rise to £2,800 and may not be sufficient with the further rise. More information about the Committee for Fuel Poverty can be found on the .gov website.

Cost of living data dashboard – updated monthly insights showing the impact on those seeking support from Citizens Advice.

Energy at Home – a web resource by the Energy Trust which outlines affordable ways for households to cut their energy bills.

Home energy grants – a search tool by Simple Energy Advice which allows users to see local energy grants they may be eligible for. 

Cost of living vulnerability index – a new index for measuring the cost of living crisis by local area, creating by the Centre for Progressive Policy.

Cutting back to keep warm – research from the Resolution Foundation showing why low-income households will have to cut back on spending by three times as much as high-income households this winter.

Regional Retrofit Action Planning Training  

This training brings together council officers to address retrofit challenges at the local level, exploring how to effectively utilise and support key partners and stakeholders both nationally and regionally. It will focus on three themes: training providers, communities and the private sector. The cost of attending this training is fully subsidised, including course materials and tuition. It will take place virtually on Zoom. Visit our website for programme dates and to register.

Party conferences: LGA debates

As the political party conferences return this autumn, the LGA will once again be delivering a range of events, including debates on behalf of councils and our partners. The theme of our debates this year across all conferences will be on councils’ responses to the rising cost of living and future proofing our communities. You can book your conference place now.