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9/5/26Do you know your State Pension age? We're asking members 

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9/5/26Do you know your State Pension age? We're asking members 

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Do you know your State Pension age?

We're asking members to check their State Pension age on GOV.UK — and to help spread the word.

That might mean a quick mention to your team, an article on your intranet, a note in your next staff update, a conversation with a customer, or simply passing it on to someone at home. It only takes a few seconds to check, but knowing your State Pension age can make a real difference to how you plan ahead.

Why does this matter?

Between April 2026 and March 2028, the State Pension age will gradually increase from 66 to 67. People born on or after 6 April 1960 will be affected.

You can use the free State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK to find out your exact State Pension age – all you need is your date of birth. You can also use the ‘Check your State Pension forecast’ tool to see how much you might get and if you can increase it, for example by filling any gaps in your record.

It’s also important to know that your State Pension doesn’t start automatically. The Pension Service will send a letter inviting you to apply around 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

How to get involved

Spread the word using our ready-made resources, available free of charge:

Social media assets — ready to share straight away

A4 Posters — available in packs of 10

A5 Flyers — available in packs of 50

Intranet and e-newsletter copy — ready to share across your channels

To request materials, email: chiltonmannion.jobshare@dwp.gov.uk

Find out your State Pension age: www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

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8/4/26 National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour

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8/4/26 National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour

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National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour

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New minimum wage rates come into force from 1 April, following Low Pay Commission recommendations.

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8/4/26 New Employment Rights Act ‘a huge boost for women in the workplace’

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8/4/26 New Employment Rights Act ‘a huge boost for women in the workplace’

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New Employment Rights Act ‘a huge boost for women in the workplace’

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Government says new rights for parental leave and sick pay will increase equality and economic growth

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24/2/26 Statutory & Minimum Wage Rates April 2026

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24/2/26 Statutory & Minimum Wage Rates April 2026

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Statutory & Minimum Wage Rates April 2026

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Statutory sick pay, family leave pay and National Minimum Wage rates increase from April 2026. Employers should review new rates, thresholds and payroll impact.

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6/1/26 What support is Labour promising on the cost of living in 2026?

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6/1/26 What support is Labour promising on the cost of living in 2026?

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What support is Labour promising on the cost of living in 2026?

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The prime minister says the UK will begin to feel a ‘sense of hope’ in 2026 – here’s what to expect

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9/12/25 Chancellor announces increase to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

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9/12/25 Chancellor announces increase to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

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Chancellor announces increase to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

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The government has recently taken further action to ease the cost of living having frozen rail fares, prescription fees and uprated the Triple lock.

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7/10/25 What the Renters' Rights Bill means for older renters

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7/10/25 What the Renters' Rights Bill means for older renters

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What the Renters’ Rights Bill means for older renters

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The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to improve protections for renters in England’s private rented sector. Today, on International Tenant’s Day, our Programme Manager for Homes, Nazia Azad, discusses the impact it will have on older renters.

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7/10/25 October 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

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7/10/25 October 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

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October 2025 payments dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

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All the essential cost of living information you need in October

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2/9/25 Bank of England issues warning for anyone with mortgage ending in 2025

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2/9/25 Bank of England issues warning for anyone with mortgage ending in 2025

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Bank of England issues warning for anyone with mortgage ending in 2025

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It comes as the average price for a home dropped by 0.1% to £271,079 compared with July, according to Nationwide Building Society.

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15/7/25 Energy price cap: What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

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15/7/25 Energy price cap: What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

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Energy price cap: What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

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Gas and electricity prices will fall in July, under regulator Ofgem’s new price cap.

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01/4/25 Minimum wage increase. See how much and find out more

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01/4/25 Minimum wage increase. See how much and find out more

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The national living wage is to rise to £11.44 an hour in April 2024, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

About two million workers aged 23 and over benefit from the living wage, currently worth £10.42 an hour, and from April it will also apply to over-21s for the first time.

How much is the minimum wage?

From 1 April 2024, the rates will rise to:

National Living Wage for over-23s: £11.44 an hour from £10.42

National Living Wage for those aged 21-22: £11.44 an hour from £10.18

National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds: £8.60 an hour from £7.49

National Minimum Wage for under-18s: £6.40 an hour from £5.28

The apprentice rate: £6.40 an hour from £5.28

The apprentice rate applies to people aged under 19, or people over 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship.

The minimum wage is the same across all parts of the UK.

But ahead of his Autumn Statement, Mr Hunt announced the increases for all age groups.

Do employers have to pay the minimum wage?

The retail, care and hospitality sectors account for a large number of minimum-wage jobs, although they are found in many other parts of the economy too.

Any employer not paying the minimum wage can be fined by the UK tax authority, HMRC.

What happens if firms don't pay the minimum wage correctly?

Companies involved include WH Smith, Marks & Spencer, Argos and Lloyds Pharmacy.

WH Smith was the worst offender, having failed to pay more than £1m to more than 17,600 workers.

Who sets the minimum wage?

Its recommendations reflect how many people are in work, what's happening to earnings and how much people are having to pay for essentials such as food and housing.

Who isn't entitled to the minimum wage?

People who don't qualify include:

the self-employed

company directors

volunteers

members of the armed forces

people living and working in a religious community.

Those with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme, which are less than the minimum wage.

Work done by prisoners is paid at a minimum of £4 a week, while students on work placements of less than a year as a required part of their studies are not entitled to be paid anything.

When was the minimum wage introduced?

The law to introduce the minimum wage was passed in 1998 by the Labour government and it came into force the following year.

It started at £3.60 for those 22 and older, and £3 for 18-21 year olds.

Before the minimum wage was introduced, the lowest-paid people consistently saw the slowest growth in their wages.

Did the minimum wage cost jobs?

Before the minimum wage was introduced, there was concern that it would cost jobs, because it was thought employers would compensate for their higher wage bill by hiring fewer people.

But this didn't turn out to be the case.

There's no evidence of an overall loss of jobs linked to the minimum wage, and only weak evidence of negative impacts on some groups of workers.

What is the 'Real Living Wage' and how much is it?

It's above the level of the legal minimum wage, reflecting what the charity thinks people need to earn to cover everyday needs.

There are more than 13,000 Living Wage-accredited employers, including Google, Ikea, Aviva, Nationwide and Burberry.

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What is the minimum wage and how much is it?

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The national living wage will go up next April, boosting 2.7 million people's pay.

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28/4/25 Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out

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28/4/25 Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out

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Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out

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First 750 breakfast clubs to rollout from Tuesday, delivering on government’s manifesto commitment and promise to put more money in working people’s pockets

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14/4/25 £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025: Who Gets It and When It’s Coming

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14/4/25 £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025: Who Gets It and When It’s Coming

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£800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025: Many UK households are still feeling the impact of high prices on essential items like food, rent, and fuel. In response, the government has announced financial help for millions of people through the £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025. This extra support is aimed at easing pressure on lower-income families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

In this article, we'll explain how the payment will be made, who's eligible, and how to make sure you don't miss out. We'll also cover when the payments are expected and what to do if you think you've been overlooked. Everything is laid out in a clear and simple way for quick understanding.

£800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025

The £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025 is part of the government's ongoing efforts to help people cope with rising living expenses. It targets those who receive certain income-related benefits and is automatically paid into bank accounts. The amount is divided into three instalments to help people manage their costs better throughout the year.

Unlike some support schemes, there's no need to apply. If you qualify, the payment will arrive without you needing to do anything. It's meant to act as a financial cushion for people who rely on benefits for their day-to-day needs.

Overview Table: £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025

How Will the £800 Payment Be Given?

Instead of one large amount, the £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025 will be split into three parts. This approach gives people access to support during the most financially demanding times of the year.

Spring 2025 - £300 (expected between April and May)

Summer 2025 - £300 (expected between July and August)

Autumn 2025 - £200 (around October)

These payments will be made directly to the same bank account where you receive your existing benefits. You'll see a reference such as " DWP COL" or " HMRC COLS " when the money arrives. This helps recipients easily identify the payment.

Who's Eligible for the £800 Cost of Living Payment?

To qualify for the £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025, you must be receiving certain benefits during the government's designated eligibility periods. These benefits include:

The government will assess eligibility based on whether you received one or more of these benefits during a specific timeframe, which will be announced ahead of each payment round.

Additional Support for Disability-Related Benefits

People who receive disability-related benefits may also get separate cost of living support, which is different from the £800 payment. This support may go to individuals receiving:

These payments are handled separately and may be announced at a different time, so be sure to monitor official sources if you fall into this group.

Quick Tip: What's PIP?

PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is a benefit for people aged 16 or older who need support due to a long-term illness or disability. It is split into two parts:

Daily Living Component - For help with daily tasks such as eating, dressing, or personal care

Mobility Component - For help with moving around or travel

Unlike income-based benefits, PIP is not affected by savings or income levels, and it is assessed based on individual needs.

How to Make Sure You Get Paid

Even though the payment is automatic, you still need to make sure your information is correct. Here's how to stay on track:

Update your bank details with DWP or HMRC if you've changed accounts

Ensure your benefit claim is active during the eligibility check period

Check for the payment reference in your bank account: "DWP COL" or "HMRC COLS"

Visit GOV.UK for any new updates or announcements about payment windows

These simple checks can prevent delays or missed payments.

Missed a Payment? Don't Panic

If you think you qualified but didn't receive a payment, here's what to do:

1. Check your bank account for any missed deposits

2. Review your benefit status to confirm if you were receiving a qualifying benefit during the payment window

3. Report the issue using the GOV.UK Cost of Living Payment portal

4. Call DWP or HMRC directly if you still have questions or need help

Many people who report missing payments are able to resolve the issue quickly once it's investigated.

Final Thoughts

The £800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025 can make a big difference for households dealing with rising expenses. If you're receiving eligible benefits, the payments will come directly to your account without needing to apply. Just keep your information updated and stay informed through the official GOV.UK site.

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£800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025: Who Gets It and When It's Coming - necnewgeniedc.in

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£800 UK Cost of Living Payment 2025: Many UK households are still feeling the impact of high prices on essential items like food, rent, and fuel. In response,

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9/4/25 National insurance hike to 15% kicks in from 6 April

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9/4/25 National insurance hike to 15% kicks in from 6 April

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National insurance hike to 15% kicks in from 6 April

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Employers were hit with a 1.2% increase in Class 1 national insurance contributions (NICs) on 6 April, raising cost of hiring a single employee by up to £900 a year

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3/3/25 UK sees large rise in number of low paid jobs

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3/3/25 UK sees large rise in number of low paid jobs

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UK sees large rise in number of low paid jobs

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Living Wage Foundation offers research that purports to show a sharp rise in the number of people receiving low wages in the UK.

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See if the cost of living in the UK fits your budget with this introduction

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28/1/25 Cost of living crisis set to intensify again as bills mount despite surprise fall in inflation

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28/1/25 Cost of living crisis set to intensify again as bills mount despite surprise fall in inflation

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Cost of living crisis set to intensify again as bills mount despite surprise fall in inflation

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Households and businesses have had it tough since the start of the COVID pandemic and there are solid reasons to believe that price pressures will intensify again on many fronts in the months ahead.

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10/12/24 DWP announces Statutory Sick Pay rates for 2025-2026

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10/12/24 DWP announces Statutory Sick Pay rates for 2025-2026

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DWP announces Statutory Sick Pay rates for 2025-2026

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The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is required to review the level of benefits and state pensions each year and the rates 2025/26 are now available

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10/12/24 Benefits and financial support if you are disabled or have a health condition

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10/12/24 Benefits and financial support if you are disabled or have a health condition

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We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Benefits and financial support if you're disabled or have a health condition

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Help if you're living with a health condition or disability. Includes Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

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10/12/24 Minimum Wage Information for April 25

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10/12/24 Minimum Wage Information for April 25

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The national living wage is to rise to £11.44 an hour in April 2024, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

About two million workers aged 23 and over benefit from the living wage, currently worth £10.42 an hour, and from April it will also apply to over-21s for the first time.

How much is the minimum wage?

From 1 April 2024, the rates will rise to:

National Living Wage for over-23s: £11.44 an hour from £10.42

National Living Wage for those aged 21-22: £11.44 an hour from £10.18

National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds: £8.60 an hour from £7.49

National Minimum Wage for under-18s: £6.40 an hour from £5.28

The apprentice rate: £6.40 an hour from £5.28

The apprentice rate applies to people aged under 19, or people over 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship.

The minimum wage is the same across all parts of the UK.

But ahead of his Autumn Statement, Mr Hunt announced the increases for all age groups.

Do employers have to pay the minimum wage?

The retail, care and hospitality sectors account for a large number of minimum-wage jobs, although they are found in many other parts of the economy too.

Any employer not paying the minimum wage can be fined by the UK tax authority, HMRC.

What happens if firms don't pay the minimum wage correctly?

Companies involved include WH Smith, Marks & Spencer, Argos and Lloyds Pharmacy.

WH Smith was the worst offender, having failed to pay more than £1m to more than 17,600 workers.

Who sets the minimum wage?

Its recommendations reflect how many people are in work, what's happening to earnings and how much people are having to pay for essentials such as food and housing.

Who isn't entitled to the minimum wage?

People who don't qualify include:

the self-employed

company directors

volunteers

members of the armed forces

people living and working in a religious community.

Those with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme, which are less than the minimum wage.

Work done by prisoners is paid at a minimum of £4 a week, while students on work placements of less than a year as a required part of their studies are not entitled to be paid anything.

When was the minimum wage introduced?

The law to introduce the minimum wage was passed in 1998 by the Labour government and it came into force the following year.

It started at £3.60 for those 22 and older, and £3 for 18-21 year olds.

Before the minimum wage was introduced, the lowest-paid people consistently saw the slowest growth in their wages.

Did the minimum wage cost jobs?

Before the minimum wage was introduced, there was concern that it would cost jobs, because it was thought employers would compensate for their higher wage bill by hiring fewer people.

But this didn't turn out to be the case.

There's no evidence of an overall loss of jobs linked to the minimum wage, and only weak evidence of negative impacts on some groups of workers.

What is the 'Real Living Wage' and how much is it?

It's above the level of the legal minimum wage, reflecting what the charity thinks people need to earn to cover everyday needs.

There are more than 13,000 Living Wage-accredited employers, including Google, Ikea, Aviva, Nationwide and Burberry.

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What is the minimum wage and how much is it?

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The national living wage will go up next April, boosting 2.7 million people's pay.

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Millions will see their energy bills fall from 1 October, after a drop in the price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge households for each unit of gas and electricity they use.

A typical dual-fuel household will pay £1,923 a year between October and December - down from £2,074 in the previous period.

The cap confirms the maximum price suppliers can charge households per unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff in normal circumstances. It covers 29 million households.

Under this, a typical household's annual gas and electricity bill stayed below £2,500 despite Ofgem's cap increasing above this level.

The Energy Price Guarantee finished in June 2023, and the Ofgem cap once again determines how much customers can be charged.

Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland, where bills are slightly lower.

What is a typical household?

The calculations for a typical household are based on a direct debit customer using 12,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity a year.

A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill.

However, most households aren't typical.

Bills are based on how much energy you actually use, which depends on the number of people, the type of property and its energy efficiency.

In July 2023, Ofgem said "around 4 million" households had prepayment meters.

Between October and December, the typical bill for prepayment households will be £1,949, down from £2,077, but still £26 more than for direct debit customers.

Typical bills for those who pay via cash, cheque or bank transfer, usually every three months, will be £129 more.

It is is impossible to tell for certain, not least because wholesale energy prices are affected by global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.

However, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight forecasts that prices will rise again in January 2024.

It estimates that typical annual bills will rise to £1,996.

The consultancy does not expect energy prices to return to pre-Covid levels before the end of the decade.

Lower prices should restart competition in the market, as suppliers start to offer fixed deals to customers, which set gas and electricity prices for a certain period of time.

Unlike variable tariffs, these are unaffected by the cap.

Consumer groups and regulators say this could be good for consumers, but warn that such deals do not suit all circumstances.

If variable deals continue to fall in price, anyone already locked into a fixed deal would miss out on those savings.

Those considering signing up for a fixed deal should also pay close attention to standing charges and exit fees, rather than just the headline rate.

£900 to households on means-tested benefits - paid in three instalments in spring and autumn 2023 and spring 2024

£300 for pensioner households

£150 to people on certain disability benefits

Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, and - from October 2023 - the Warm Home Discount scheme.

Importantly, the £400 discount which all households in England, Wales and Scotland received last winter has finished.

What help are businesses getting?

Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, will get a larger discount than others.

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Energy price cap: What is it and will bills continue to go down?

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The price cap which sets typical annual household energy bills is falling slightly from October.

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Our services - Framework Housing Association

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We support people facing complex needs including homelessness, mental ill health, offending, domestic violence and substance use.

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You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it's a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

You'll usually get the discount automatically if you're eligible. You only need to apply if you're on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

If you might be eligible, you'll get a letter by early January 2024.

If you do not get a letter and you think you're eligible, you must contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 29 February 2024.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you're eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligibility

There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.

If you live in England and Wales

You qualify if you either:

If you live in Scotland

You qualify if you either:

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters

You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you'll get the discount if you're eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

Park (mobile) homes

You apply a different way if you live in a park home.

Apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

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The Warm Home Discount Scheme could take £150 off your winter electricity bill - eligibility, how to get your discount, deadlines.

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21/10/24 What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for you?

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21/10/24 What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for you?

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Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street

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What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for you?

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Our Employment Rights Bill will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire, and introduce basic employment rights from day one.

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9/10/24  Cold Weather Payment Eligibility

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9/10/24  Cold Weather Payment Eligibility

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Cold Weather Payment - what you’ll get, eligibility and how to find out if your area is due a payment

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16/9/24  Aged 16 and 17 and without a home - your rights

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16/9/24  Aged 16 and 17 and without a home - your rights

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It can be very lonely, stressful and frightening having to leave home at 16 or 17. Help is available. The law in England is very clear that 16 and 17 year-olds have the right to help and protection - both while they are still legally children, and into their adult lives.

It is quite common for there to be arguments at home during the teenage years. Older children often want more freedoms and to be able to question and challenge. Parents can find it difficult to adjust to these changes. How parents show love and care to a 14 year-old compared to a 4 year-old is obviously very different! Communication between parents and children during the teenage years - especially listening to one another - is very important. Problems can disappear or become more manageable over time. Advice and support from family and friends, and sometimes from teachers or social workers, can be very helpful.

Life can be extremely difficult for some 16 and 17 year-olds. They may be being abused and mistreated by a parent, a stepparent or someone else within their family (information on your right to be and feel safe can be found here). There may be people outside the family who are harming and threatening them. They might not feel they are listened to or treated fairly within their family. Their family may be struggling with serious money and housing worries. There might be a lot of arguments and stress at home. Then there are 16 and 17 year-olds who come to England from another country without a parent or other adult, meaning they have no family here to take care of them.

Sometimes difficulties within a family become too much, and a 16 or 17 year-old is asked or told to leave. Or they might feel they have no option but to leave because they can't cope anymore at home.

Children aged 16 and 17 who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness

Between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023, 6,469 16 and 17 year-olds asked for help from their local authority, or someone else asked for help for them, because they were homeless or they were threatened with homelessness.

The law states a person is homeless if they don't have a place to live in. A person may not have a place to live in because they are at risk of violence or abuse. If a person is sleeping on a friend's sofa or on the floor of a friend's house, they are still legally homeless.

The law states a person is threatened with homelessness if they are likely to be homeless within 56 days, or they have been given official notice to leave their property within the next 56 days.

16 and 17 year-olds are still children

English law defines a child as a person up to the age of 18. So, if you are aged 16 or 17, you are still legally a child.

Many teenagers don't like being called a child because it can feel patronising, and that they are not being respected or taken seriously. We use the term 'child' because of the very important legal rights and protections that all children - up to and including those aged 17 - have in England. We do not mean to show any disrespect, and hope you understand our reasons.

Some 16 and 17 year-olds may feel they are old enough to look after themselves. This can be understandable, especially if they have had a lot of responsibilities for a long time.

But it's important to remember that the vast majority of 16 and 17 year-olds rely upon parents or other adults to care for them, show them love and attention, spend time with them, actively support their education, and guide and help them through their teenage years and into their adult lives.

Coming to the end of childhood and starting the beginning of adulthood is a critical time of life. If children's needs are not met during this period, this can cause them a lot of unhappiness and suffering; it can also make their adult lives difficult. The law states that everyone must be in education or training until age 18, and other protections go up to this age too. For example, it is against the law for people under the age of 18 to buy cigarettes, alcohol or fireworks, or to get married or enter a civil partnership. Our child welfare and child protection laws also go up to age 18.

Some children can feel pressured to take care of themselves. Wanting to be looked after and cared for is a natural feeling, though. It is becoming more common for people to leave home at an older age. Official statistics show that half (50%) of 23 year-olds were living with their parents in 2023. More than a quarter (28%) of 20 to 34 year-olds were still living with their parents.

Aged 16 and 17 and without a home - your rights

Right to help from local authority children's services

Every area in England has an organisation that is in charge of making sure children are safe, protected and well looked after. These organisations are called local authorities.

Any child aged 16 or 17 who is without a home has the legal right to help and protection from their local authority children's services.

Every child in this situation should be offered an independent advocate to help them understand their rights, and to communicate their views, wishes and feelings.

If you are not offered an advocate, you can ask for one at any point. If you earlier refused help from an advocate, but have changed your mind - that's OK. You have the right to help from an advocate whenever you need one. Just ask the social worker or any other worker who is looking at what you need. If there is any delay in this happening, or you are refused, please see our 'Getting help' section below.

Advocates make sure children know their rights. They give whatever help is needed to make sure these rights are protected. Advocates can attend meetings with children, they can help children write emails or make phone calls, and they can help children find a solicitor when this is necessary (when a local authority doesn't seem to be following the law, for example).

If a 16 or 17 year-old goes to a housing office first, staff there must contact children's services. This is because local authority children's services have the main duty to protect and look after children in need, including those who are aged 16 or 17. Children's services and housing must work together, so that 16 and 17 year-olds get the help they need, and are entitled to, and to make sure they don't have to keep repeating information to different people.

Children's services are focused on making sure children are safe and get everything they need to have a good life.

Help from children's services will, firstly, try and sort things out at home - but only if this can be done safely.

If things cannot be sorted at home at the present time, then the local authority must decide whether to look after the child.

When a child aged 16 or 17 becomes looked after, their local authority will keep trying to help them return to live with their family if this is possible. A local authority would only stop, or try to stop, a child seeing their family or others close to them if there were immediate and serious safety concerns, and then permission would have to be obtained from a court.

No child should ever be pressured to return home if this is not safe for them.

When local authorities look at a child's safety, they must consider all aspects of the child's life and feelings - their physical safety as well as how they feel inside, and how this affects their mental health.

When they are assessing a child's needs, local authorities must find out the child's wishes and feelings. They must also give the child's wishes and feelings due consideration, taking into account their age and understanding. In other words, a child's views and feelings must always be given very careful attention. Then the more understanding a child has, the more emphasis and weight should be given to their views.

A teenager who feels so unhappy at home that they say they would rather sleep in a park or on the floor or sofa at a friend's house must be taken very seriously. Local authorities are under a duty to protect children - including those aged 16 and 17 - from significant harm. They also have duties around protecting a child's human right to be physically and psychologically safe. Local authorities are not allowed to knowingly put a child of any age - including those aged 16 or 17 - into a situation where they will suffer harm.

What does being looked after mean?

Being looked after by a local authority means that the local authority is responsible for the child's welfare. It must act like a loving parent, and do all it can to make sure the child's needs are met - relating to their health, education, relationships and friendships, hobbies and interests, and planning for their future.

Every looked after child has their own social worker, who has special responsibilities to make sure they are well and happy. They also have an independent reviewing officer whose job is to check that the local authority is doing everything it should for them, and that good plans are being made for the child's future.

Importantly, when a child is looked after they must be listened to, and their wishes and feelings taken seriously. They have the right to an independent advocate whenever they want help to express their views, wishes and feelings. The law states local authorities must always think about the following seven principles whenever they are making decisions, or doing things, which affect children who are looked after, and care leavers aged 25 or under. These seven principles are:

The need to act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of children and young people.

The need to encourage children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings.

The need to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people.

The need to help children and young people benefit from services.

The need to have high aspirations and to want the best for children and young people.

The need for children and young people to be safe, and to have stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work.

The need to prepare children and young people for adulthood and independent living.

As for where a looked after child lives, this has to be carefully decided in line with the child's individual needs and their wishes and feelings.

The law requires that, first, the local authority must check to see if it is possible for the child to live with a parent or another person who has parental responsibility (or if a family court has been involved, there may be someone who the child used to live with). If that's not possible, the local authority must work down this list:

Social workers must see if it's possible for the child to live with someone they are already connected to such as a family member (a grandparent, auntie or uncle or older cousin, for example) or someone from their friendship circle. If suitable, this person (or people) would then become the child's foster carer. They would receive an allowance from the local authority to cover the things the child needs - all the ordinary, day-to-day things that children need and then things like clothes, birthday and other celebrations, and holidays. When potential foster carers are connected to the child, the law allows local authorities to temporarily approve them - to prevent delay in the child moving to live with them.

Or the child could live with a foster carer who is not already known to them. This carer would receive an allowance from the local authority just like in the above situation.

Or the child could live in a children's home. The average age of children who live in children's homes is 14-15 years, and most children's homes look like ordinary family houses. Every child has their own bedroom. They are not the big orphanages like you see in old films or children's story books!

Or the child could, if they are aged 16 or 17, live in what's called supported accommodation. This might be a flat, a bedsit, a room in a shared house or a larger building. Supported accommodation is not suitable for most 16 and 17 year-olds who are looked after by local authorities because no care is provided, just support (and this can be very limited).

When working out what would be best for a child, the local authority must do all it can to ensure that the child lives near their (family) home, that there is no disruption to their education or training, and that they live within their local authority area. If the child is disabled, where they live must meet their needs as a disabled child. Having mental health difficulties can mean the child is disabled. The important thing to remember is that where a child lives should be the best place for them.

When a child is looked after, the local authority has to be thinking ahead as well as making sure their needs are met today.

A child can stay being looked after until they are 18. If they live with foster carers, this arrangement can continue until they are 21.

A person who was looked after for 13 weeks or more after they turned 14 and beyond their 16th birthday has rights to lots of support into their mid-twenties. This includes having a personal adviser, financial help for university (including somewhere to stay during holidays), receiving a setting up home allowance (the minimum amount is £3,000) when they move into their first home of their own, and their council must treat them as having priority housing need.

Most children who are looked after are the subject of a care order. This means a family court has given their local authority what's called parental responsibility - duties that parents have towards their children. Care orders last until a child is aged 18, unless a court is asked, and agrees, to end the order earlier. A family court cannot make a care order for a child who has reached the age of 17.

Other children are looked after by agreement between their parents and a local authority. No court is involved in this situation, and the child can return home whenever their parents say they want this to happen (though a local authority has powers to protect the child from harm if necessary). This is often referred to as 'section 20' because this is the part of the Children Act 1989 concerned with children being looked after on a voluntary basis.

Children aged 16 and 17 can ask themselves to be looked after by a local authority. Parental permission is not required. Children this age can also decide not to be looked after under section 20, though they must fully understand the implications of this - see below.

Do I have to be looked after?

The law states that local authorities must look after a child in need in their area (including those aged 16 and 17) when it appears:

There is no-one who has parental responsibility for them, or

They have been lost or abandoned, or

The person who has been caring for them can no longer provide them with suitable accommodation or care (this can be for any reason). It doesn't matter whether this inability to provide accommodation or care is temporary or permanent.

In addition, local authority children's services must look after a child in need in their area who is aged 16 and 17 and whose welfare the local authority considers is likely to be seriously prejudiced if they do not provide them with accommodation.

Also, local authority children's services may look after any child within their area if they think this would safeguard or promote the child's welfare.

You will have noticed that the first two duties written in green above relate to children in need. This has a specific legal meaning. A child is in need if:

They are unlikely to have a reasonable standard of physical or mental health or physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development without services from a local authority, or

Their health or development is likely to be damaged, or further damaged, without services from a local authority, or

They are disabled.

What if I refuse to be looked after?

If you tell your local authority children's services you do not want to be looked after, it must be satisfied of the following before it accepts your refusal:

That you are not at risk of harm, and

You are able to understand your situation and to make this important decision, and

It has given you full information about what your rights and protections would be as a looked after child, and as a care leaver, and

You have been offered help from an independent advocate so you can carefully consider your options.

IMPORTANT: Many local authorities ask children aged 16 and 17 to sign a form to confirm they have refused to be looked after. If you have not received full information about your rights and help from an advocate to carefully go through your options, we strongly suggest you do not sign this form until you have an advocate and the correct process has been followed.

If you meet the definition of a child in need, and you refuse to be looked after, your local authority should pay for somewhere for you to live. But you won't be a looked after child, so you won't get all of the protections that go with that. And, in the future, you won't have the rights and protections that care leavers have - such as help with setting up your first home, financial and other support if you go to university, and priority housing need with the council.

IMPORTANT: if you refuse to be looked after, and then later change your mind, your local authority must look after you if you still fall into the circumstances in the green writing above.

It will be extremely rare for local authorities to decide that a 16 or 17 year-old without a home or parental backup is not a child in need. In such a rare situation, the council has duties to provide you with accommodation under housing law (rather than through child welfare law). Please remember: any decision made about you - by your local authority children's services or housing - that you disagree with can be challenged. An independent advocate can help you to challenge decisions you are not happy with.

Whether children's services or housing arrange somewhere for you to live, the government says that the following types of accommodation are not considered suitable for any 16 and 17 year-olds:

Bed and breakfast accommodation, including hotels.

Nightly rental places where there are shared facilities (like kitchens and bathrooms).

Night shelters where homeless people of all ages sleep.

Getting help

I'm an adult, and should have been looked after as a child

If you asked for help from local authority children's services or housing when you were aged 16 and 17 and without a home, and you weren't looked after, you may be able to challenge that now.

Part of putting things right from the past can be to get you the rights that you would have had as a care leaver, had the local authority correctly followed the law and looked after you.

Every person's situation is unique to them, so seeking help from an advocate or a solicitor is likely to be necessary.

You can contact our children's rights advice service here, and we will try and help you get help from an advocate or solicitor.

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Aged 16 or 17 and without a home - rights4children

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It can be very lonely, stressful and frightening having to leave home at 16 or 17. Help is available. The law in England is very clear that 16 and 17 year-olds have the right to help and protection – both while they are still legally children, and into their adult lives. It is quite common […]

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What is the state pension triple lock and what is it worth?

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The triple lock mechanism ensures that the state pension keeps pace with rising prices and earnings.

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Millions will see their energy bills fall from 1 October, after a drop in the price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge households for each unit of gas and electricity they use.

A typical dual-fuel household will pay £1,923 a year between October and December - down from £2,074 in the previous period.

The cap confirms the maximum price suppliers can charge households per unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff in normal circumstances. It covers 29 million households.

Under this, a typical household's annual gas and electricity bill stayed below £2,500 despite Ofgem's cap increasing above this level.

The Energy Price Guarantee finished in June 2023, and the Ofgem cap once again determines how much customers can be charged.

Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland, where bills are slightly lower.

What is a typical household?

The calculations for a typical household are based on a direct debit customer using 12,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity a year.

A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill.

However, most households aren't typical.

Bills are based on how much energy you actually use, which depends on the number of people, the type of property and its energy efficiency.

In July 2023, Ofgem said "around 4 million" households had prepayment meters.

Between October and December, the typical bill for prepayment households will be £1,949, down from £2,077, but still £26 more than for direct debit customers.

Typical bills for those who pay via cash, cheque or bank transfer, usually every three months, will be £129 more.

It is is impossible to tell for certain, not least because wholesale energy prices are affected by global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.

However, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight forecasts that prices will rise again in January 2024.

It estimates that typical annual bills will rise to £1,996.

The consultancy does not expect energy prices to return to pre-Covid levels before the end of the decade.

Lower prices should restart competition in the market, as suppliers start to offer fixed deals to customers, which set gas and electricity prices for a certain period of time.

Unlike variable tariffs, these are unaffected by the cap.

Consumer groups and regulators say this could be good for consumers, but warn that such deals do not suit all circumstances.

If variable deals continue to fall in price, anyone already locked into a fixed deal would miss out on those savings.

Those considering signing up for a fixed deal should also pay close attention to standing charges and exit fees, rather than just the headline rate.

£900 to households on means-tested benefits - paid in three instalments in spring and autumn 2023 and spring 2024

£300 for pensioner households

£150 to people on certain disability benefits

Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, and - from October 2023 - the Warm Home Discount scheme.

Importantly, the £400 discount which all households in England, Wales and Scotland received last winter has finished.

What help are businesses getting?

Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, will get a larger discount than others.

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Energy price cap: What is it and will bills continue to go down?

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The price cap which sets typical annual household energy bills is falling slightly from October.

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8/7/24 Pay protected for NHS staff starting apprenticeships

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8/7/24 Pay protected for NHS staff starting apprenticeships

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Health workers were previously put off the programme because some employers expected them to take a wage cut

Health workers were previously put off the programme because some employers expected them to take a wage cut

NHS staff who become apprentices with the employer will not suffer a pay cut under a deal struck with trade unions.

The policy, which came into force on July 1, means existing staff no longer risk a "detriment" to their wages if they begin an apprenticeship with any NHS employer.

The move comes four years after formal negotiations on pay and employment terms for apprentices between unions and NHS trusts stalled.

Apprenticeships are key to the NHS' long-term workforce plan, published last year, which aims to increase the number of clinical staff it trains through the schemes from 7 per cent to 22 per cent by 2031/32.

A breakthrough came after the pay deal between the government and trade unions that ended NHS-wide strikes earlier this year.

UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: "Previously, existing NHS staff wanting to progress their careers through apprenticeships were put off, or forced to drop out, because some employers expected them to take a cut in pay.

"Now this will no longer be the case, more staff will be able to take up these opportunities.

"Unions will now push the government and employers to go further and agree national pay rates for those starting out as apprentices.

"This would boost the numbers choosing to come into the NHS over other currently better-paid apprenticeship options."

Prior to the deal, local health trusts could decide what pay rates to set for staff who became apprentices.

However, FE Week understands NHS England does not collect data on how many staff took a pay cut after becoming apprentices.

A summary of earlier talks on the issue, published in 2021, revealed they hit an "impasse" because England's health trust representative body NHS Employers was concerned about costs.

Employers had argued "high demand" for apprenticeships that resulted in good future career prospects meant lower pay should not be a "barrier" to recruitment but trade unions insisted pay "should not drop" for current employees.

The dispute was referred to the NHS staff council which issued guidance to trusts that staff pay would only be protected if they were "required" to become an apprentice. Pay for staff who voluntarily chose an apprenticeship was "a matter for local agreement".

The Department for Health and Social Care declined to comment when asked whether it knew how many staff were impacted.

A spokesperson for NHS Employers also declined to comment, citing pre-election restrictions.

NHS England confirmed this month's policy change was made as part of the pay deal earlier this year.

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Pay protected for NHS staff starting apprenticeships

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NHS staff who become apprentices with the employer will not suffer a pay cut under a deal struck with trade unions.

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13/5/24 Online voluntary National Insurance payments service launches

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13/5/24 Online voluntary National Insurance payments service launches

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Online voluntary National Insurance payments service launches
Find out if voluntary National Insurance contributions will boost your State Pension.
The government is making it easier for customers to check for and fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record to help increase their State Pension by launching a new online service.

The Check your State Pension forecast - a joint service by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - has been enhanced to include a fully end-to-end digital solution.

The service will show customers by how much their State Pension could increase and details of the voluntary NI contributions they would need to pay to achieve this. It allows most people under State Pension age to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps, if it will benefit them.

Anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years that could increase their State Pension if filled, can use the new digital service to choose which years they would like to pay to fill. They can then pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.

Customers can access the Check your State Pension forecast via GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.

Those who are eligible have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. From 6 April 2025, people will only be able to pay voluntary contributions for the previous 6 tax years, in line with normal time limits.

Nigel Huddleston, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, yesterday said:

Having peace of mind when planning for retirement is crucial to ensure people can enjoy later life. That's why HMRC has launched this new online service today, making a real difference for thousands of pensioners in their retirement while providing certainty to those in their middle years and those still planning ahead.

Minister for Pensions, Paul Maynard, yesterday said:

The State Pension is the foundation of income in retirement, which is why we have introduced this new online tool to help simplify boosting it for those who are able to. I would encourage everyone to check their State Pension forecast and to take a look at how they could improve their State Pension award with only a few simple clicks.

Last year, the government extended the deadline to pay voluntary NI contributions to 5 April 2025 for those affected by new State Pension transitional arrangements. This covers tax years from 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018. The extended deadline means that people now have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures no-one need miss out on the possibility of increasing their State Pension.

Paying voluntary contributions will not always increase their State Pension but everyone can use the new service to check whether they could be better off in retirement before making any voluntary NI payments.

Customers will need to login to the new digital service using their Personal Tax Account login details. Those without an online HMRC account can register on GOV.UK.

Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
Further information
More information on voluntary NI contributions

Customers should check if they can get National Insurance credits before they look into paying voluntary contributions

The majority of customers will be able to use the online service, without needing to phone HMRC or DWP, including those living abroad who want to pay voluntary contributions for years they were resident in the UK. However, it is not currently available to those who are already receiving their State Pension, self-employed customers or customers currently living outside the UK with gaps incurred while working abroad. They can continue to manage their NICs as set out on GOV.UK.

Customers can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past 6 tax years. The deadline is 5 April each year.

As part of transitional arrangements to the new State Pension, customers have had an extended deadline to pay voluntary contributions to fill gaps in their National Insurance record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2016, to help increase their State Pension. Following an extension to the deadline last year individuals can pay voluntary contributions for tax years 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018 by 5 April 2025.

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Online voluntary National Insurance payments service launches | Department for Work and Pensions

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Find out if voluntary National Insurance contributions will boost your State Pension.

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Who is on strike and when? Personnel Today reveals the latest developments concerning industrial action in different sectors.

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How L&D can support employees in the cost of living crisis

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How L&D can support employees in the cost of living crisis

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You might think the natural fit in organisations to support when it comes to something like a cost-of-living challenge would be in HR, payroll, and finance. Conversations around one-off payments and support mechanisms - such as employee benefits and employee assistance programmes - seem to be ramping up.

In the LinkedIn HR groups, HR leaders are seeking to understand what other businesses are doing as this challenge rises up the priority list, looking out for the golden chalice which can be harnessed and rolled out across organisations to support people (and ultimately enhance the employee value proposition).

Many wouldn't see the initial link between supporting employees in this new way, and what L&D can bring to the table

However, these tend to be short-term, or one-off events which have a limited impact, and not the longer-term benefit which people are looking for. Don't get me wrong, an additional payment isn't going to be turned down by anyone, but is it really a sustainable solution?

The new dawn of Learning and Development

Now, to start with, many wouldn't see the initial link between supporting employees in this new way, and what L&D can bring to the table. But let's bring ourselves back to the challenges which L&D historically face around commercial awareness, adding tangible value and business impact, and this new dawn of opportunities to make a real difference. A human difference.

It's all about two things. Firstly, a shift in mindset and secondly, agile thinking. And I'm talking about L&D first and foremost. Time to put down the development programmes, and committed plans, and time to pivot (again).

We're no longer in a world that will 'settle down'. Change is the only constant

This topic might feel a little alien if you are used to planning business content, skills training, or learning which is aligned to organisational-related competencies and processes. So, I want you to ask yourself these questions, which might help get you and your team into the right headspace for this one:

1. How engaged is your workforce right now and what does this mean for current and 'run of the mill' training and learning initiatives?

2. How appropriate are your current learning plans and strategies to meet their needs (or do you need to be more agile)?

3. What needs to change considering the change we have seen in 2022 and what is forecast for 2023/2024?

4. Who is more likely to be affected in your organisation by the cost-of-living crisis and why?

5. How are your managers set up to be able to be empathetic, supportive and action orientated with their teams?

These can be done as a team, or individually. Perhaps spend a little time speaking to your typical learner, or stakeholder, before clarifying your answers. Then spend time with other functions who you can collaborate with and provide a unified tool kit - this would usually be HR, finance, payroll, internal communications and senior managers.

But whatever you do, don't do nothing

Once you start thinking about it, there is a huge amount that L&D can do as ultimately, we're still working with people, and businesses. We just need to think about things in a different way and understand what is going to make the most impact in such a challenging time.

Here are some examples you might want to consider. None of these is a magic wand or the answer to all our problems, but suggestions which you might want to take forwards to support your teams and individuals with their cost of living challenges:

This could be a challenge for employees at this time. It could be seen as all a bit 'doom and gloom' recently with rising costs, the passing of the queen, interest rate rises and challenges with bills. Think about how people are feeling right now and how they can be supported to consider their personal situations. Introduce short, targeted group coaching sessions where you introduce growth mindset principles, and help people to see what they can do, as opposed to what they can't do.

Run action learning sets and problem-solving events. You are giving them a key skill set that can easily be transferred into their context and situation. Many people can get bogged down in challenging times by solution blindness, so working through an actionable process can help a more objective view.

If you don't have someone with the skill to make maths, and more importantly, budgeting, easy, then bring someone in

There is already so much out there, such as resources, podcasts and blogs from organisations such as Money Buddies, Citizens Advice and Help for Households on the .gov website. You can pull these items together in a podcast, and maybe invite your local Citizens Advice rep to be a podcast guest. This can be recorded on Zoom or Teams and doesn't need professional editing to become a valued resource which people will listen to on lunchtime walks with the dog.

Let's also consider those in the organisation who might need more targeted support due to health conditions, caring responsibilities, and additional needs. Work closely with your HR team to provide additional information from sources such as Learning Disability England. Sites like these are really helpful for upskilling ourselves and helping to understand more about the wider challenges in our organisations and communities.

If you don't have someone with the skill to make maths, and more importantly, budgeting, easy, then bring someone in. Many people do not manage a monthly household monthly and live month by month. The latest research shows that 80% of us are two payslips away from poverty, so let's help our employees get a handle on their monthly incomings and outgoings in a real practicable, adult-to-adult way. Once complete, a budget can feel really comforting and reassuring.

For example, there has been some confusion around the new energy price guarantee as well as the term 'price cap' and some people believe this is the maximum price that they will pay, no matter how much energy they use.

This is not the case and could get people in real trouble and worry, so work with resources on sites such as Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert to communicate clear guidance and provide clarity.

There are lots of calculators, guidance, suggestions, and support to which you can signpost people to. You might want to partner with your communications team to build something which is packaged in a way which is easy to access and digest.

This will help employees speak with energy providers, financial institutions, and other household suppliers. This will be difficult and daunting for many people, so delivering skills practice in being able to negotiate, influence, be assertive and how to conclude a conversation with a win/win will go down well. Clear tips and techniques in these areas will be highly valued and appreciated.

Budgets are going to be tighter next year and asking for £50 on petrol and parking is a big deal. We know great virtual training and digital learning can be as good as, if not better, then in-person, so time to step into the new digital world and upskill your L&D team, managers and everyone else delivering coaching and training interventions.

Dial up skills practice around empathy, listening and communication, as team members will be looking to their managers, now more than ever before, for this support and guidance. This is where we sort the wheat from the chaff, so make sure your managers are the former, rather than the latter, or you will have greater problems down the line.

This doesn't mean big management and leadership training programmes. You can run a highly impactful and interactive webcast, having managers practice these skills on mass, to provide competence and confidence in something they have likely never dealt with before.

Just like in the pandemic, learning and development now has a clear opportunity to step up and make a real difference

Taking responsibility

Just like in the pandemic, learning and development now has a clear opportunity to step up and make a real difference. This should be at the top of our priority list with a clear, concise, and agile playbook to support employees with what is becoming one of the largest crises we've seen in 40 years.

One thing is clear, you cannot ignore it and you must see it as a real learning need. So, let's become the trusted advisor we all want to be and elevate our human impact in our organisations, to help get everybody through what is likely to be a rocky few years.

It will be much easier for all of us if we are in it together.

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How L&D can support employees in the cost-of-living crisis

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You might think the natural fit in organisations to support when it comes to something like a cost-of-living challenge would be in HR, payroll, and finance. Conversations around one-off payments and support mechanisms - such as employee benefits and employee assistance programmes - seem to be ramping up.

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Cost of Living Payment

If you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment to help with the cost of living. If you're eligible, payments will be made automatically.

Find out more: Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK

Countries around the world are facing rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

We know people are worried so the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

Find out what discounts and offers are available from businesses to help with the cost of living.

View discounts and offers

Many of the Help for Households measures and policies, including Energy Bill Support and Cost of Living Payments, are the responsibility of the UK Government.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland there may be additional or alternative devolved policies and help available. Please also visit the relevant campaign website where you live.

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If you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment to help with the cost of living. If you're eligible, payments will be made automatically. Find out more: Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK Countries around the world are facing rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

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We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Check benefits and financial support you can get

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Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get.

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Cost of Living Payment

Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 this year, paid automatically in two instalments.

The first payment of £326 was made in summer. The second payment of £324 will be made by DWP to eligible customers between 8 and 23 November, and by HMRC between 23 and 30 November (to customers receiving tax credits only and no other eligible DWP benefits).

This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.
Find out more information
Disability Cost of Living Payment

From 20th September, 6 million people who are paid certain disability benefits will receive an automatic one-off £150 payment. The payment will help disabled people with the rising Cost of Living acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.

This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means tested benefits.
Check if you're eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.

Council Tax rebate

If you live in Council Tax bands A to D in England you'll get £150 back from your Council Tax bill (4 out of 5 households in England).

For most people the rebate is automatic, however if you don't pay your Council Tax by direct debit then get in touch with your Council.

More information on the Council Tax rebate

Household Support Fund

£1.5 billion has been made available to support the most vulnerable to cover their essential daily costs, like energy bills. Recipients include pensioners and families with children.

Budgeting loans

Cheaper phone and broadband

You may be eligible to move onto a social tariff if you're struggling to afford your broadband or phone services.

Check the Ofcom website to see if you can switch to a social tariff
Help paying your Water Bill

TV Licence fee freeze

The TV licence fee has been frozen at £159 until 2024. This means households will not see any change to the licence fee until 1 April 2024.

Find out more information on free TV Licence for over 75 's

Get help with all or part of your rent

You may get help with all or part of your rent.

Use a benefits calculator to find out if you can get benefits to help pay your rent
There's no set amount of housing costs support and what you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council or housing association.
Check if you are eligible for Universal Credit
Universal Credit if you're unemployed or on low income

If you and/or your partner are responsible for paying rent for the home you live in, or if you have a mortgage, Universal Credit may provide help towards the cost.
Check if you are eligible for Housing Benefit
Housing benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you are state pension age or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation

Support for additional housing costs

Council Tax support schemes

Discretionary Housing Payments

Get help with interest payments on mortgages or loans

95% mortgages for homes up to £600,000

You may be eligible to borrow up to 95% of the cost of a property worth up to £600,000 thanks to the mortgage guarantee scheme.

Contact mortgage providers to see if you're eligible.

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Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive a payment of £650 this year, paid automatically in two instalments. The first payment of £326 was made in summer.

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All about Government help with childcare costs, including 15 to 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits, Universal Credit, vouchers and support while you study

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If you've received a Post Office Voucher as part of additional support being provided via the Energy Bill Rebate scheme, the deadline for cashing these is 30 November. If you do not cash them by this date we will credit your council tax account with the amount of the voucher.

Household Support Fund is now open

The council has now distributed all of the existing Household Support Fund 2 to vulnerable residents for the April to September 2022 period. The new HSF3 grant period runs from October 2022 to March 2023 and will continue to be used to help those most in need with energy and food through the winter months.

The government has recommended the key focus for this grant will be to support vulnerable Nottingham residents on means tested benefits or low incomes with the cost of energy to help them over the winter months.

Free School Meals

Children who are entitled to Free School Meals will continue to receive support from the grant and get £15 Supermarket Voucher per week for October, Christmas and February holidays. These vouchers will continue to be provided via schools and from EdenRed in the normal way. You can check your eligibility for FSM and apply here.

Energy Support Vouchers - Existing Applicants

If you have already been in contact and sought support through one of the community partners or advice agencies and received energy vouchers since June 2022 as part of the previous scheme, you will automatically receive another £98 (2 x £49) of energy vouchers between now and the end of December and do not need to apply again.

Vouchers will be sent to you in the same way as you previously received them, either via text or email or where necessary via post.

To help community partners and welfare advice agencies support those most in need, please do not contact them about these automatic vouchers as they will not be able to assist you and you cannot apply a second time. The council will cross reference applications to ensure there is not any duplication of applications.

Energy Support Vouchers - New Applications Open 14th November 2022

If you haven't already applied through one of the organisations listed below, you can contact them to apply for this round of Energy Vouchers when new applications open from 14th November 2022. To qualify for this support you should be in receipt of a means tested benefit, or on a low income as this support is targets for residents who are financially vulnerable and struggling to cope with energy costs.

By contacting these community partners for help, residents will be able to access a wide range of support including new applications for £147 (3 x £49) of energy vouchers and also advice and assistance to help with food, toiletries and essential supplies.

All partners are focused on getting the vouchers to those Nottingham residents who are in financial crisis and need support the most. This funding will help to bolster and expand the amount and type of direct support that is available. Additional support from the fund is also being provided to the network of Food Banks across the city to help them meet the increased demand over winter months.

The Energy Vouchers and other support will be given out through Nottingham Advice Centres, Age UK Notts, Independent Age and other local community organisations including Nottingham City Homes and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing who have the specialism to work with households in financial crisis and provide advice and support alongside the vouchers.

By contacting these agencies, you will be able to:

Talk to an impartial and confidential Adviser about the whole range of financial support and solutions available to you over the longer term.

Apply for energy vouchers, or a referral to a food bank to help with your immediate financial needs.

Food banks, advice agencies and charities have the specialist skills to advise people in financial crisis. This can involve helping them to check they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to and putting people in touch with support services such as safer housing, safer borrowing and debt management.

Who should I contact?

The advice agencies and community organisations to contact are listed below. These organisations experience high levels of demand, but if you contact them via their contact details below, they will get back to you to arrange an appointment with you:

If you are a Pensioner, please contact Age UK Notts or Independent Age

If you are a Nottingham City Homes tenant, please contact their Tenancy Sustainment Team

If you are a Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing resident, please contact their Customer Services team

If you are none of the above, please contact any of the six Advice Nottingham agencies listed below.

Eligibility: All partners are focused on getting the vouchers to those Nottingham residents who are in financial crisis and need support the most. Each agency issuing vouchers will use their standard eligibility assessments. People who are eligible will be those in receipt of recognised means tested benefits, or some other identifier of low income, such as:

Universal credit

Income-based jobseekers allowance

Income-related employment and support allowance

Income support

Working tax credit

Child tax credit

Pension credit

How can I redeem my voucher?

If you receive an energy voucher, instructions to redeem it will be included with your voucher.

If you receive a supermarket voucher, the instructions to redeem it are here.

Is any other support available?

A comprehensive directory of information on help and support available in Nottingham is available here www.asklion.co.uk/money

Advice agencies and community organisations to contact for support:
If you are a pensioner, please contact Age UK Notts by completing the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/10YVn5nhCL
Alternatively you can contact Age UK on 0115 6976314.

Or you can also contact Independent Age on their helpline 0115 811 4300

Nottingham City Homes

You must be a Nottingham City Homes tenant to apply through us. We are only accepting applications for this round of Household Support Fund via the below online form. You will be contacted by an advisor within a month of applying (we call from withheld numbers).
https://tinyurl.com/NCHapplication
If you have a problem with a voucher once it's been issued please complete the form below:
https://tinyurl.com/NCHQueries
Please do not reapply if you received Household Support Vouchers from Nottingham City between July and October 2022 as you will automatically receive 2 x £49 energy vouchers.

If you are a Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing resident, please contact:

Customers Services
Email contactus@mtvh.co.uk
Or call 0203 353 3535

Advice Nottingham

If you are none of the above, please contact one of the following local advice agencies where your eligibility for energy vouchers can be assessed by contacting one of the organisations below. If you are eligible for support your application will then be forwarded to Nottingham City Council for issuing vouchers.

Nottingham Law Centre,

119 Radford Road, Hyson Green, NG7 5DU Tel 0115 978 7813

By telephone and drop in

Wednesday 9.30am - 5pm

St Ann's Advice Centre

The Chase Neighbourhood Centre, Robin Hood Chase, St Ann's NG3 4EZ Tel

Downstairs in the Chase Centre

Tuesday and Thursday 1pm - 4pm

Meadows Advice Group

Queens Walk Community Centre, Queens Walk, The Meadows, NG2 2DF

Tel 0115 986 0197

By telephone

Wednesday 1pm and 4pm

Free and confidential advice can also be obtained from the following organisations who will complete a full assessment with you and provide individual advice which may include support of energy vouchers. Please contact these organisations if you require advice for your own individual circumstances.

Bestwood Advice Centre

21 Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood Estate,

NG5 5FH. Tel 0115 962 6519

Telephone

Monday-Thursday 9.30-3.30pm

Clifton Advice Centre

Clifton Cornerstone, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, NG11 8EW Tel 0115 940 5551

Monday-Wednesday and Friday 10-1pm

by telephone or drop-in for assisted information or to book an appointment

Nottingham Law Centre,

119 Radford Road, Hyson Green, NG7 5DU

Tel 0115 978 7813

Telephone

Monday-Friday 9.30-4.30pm

Drop in

Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm

St Ann's Advice Centre

The Chase Neighbourhood Centre, Robin Hood Chase, St Ann's NG3 4EZ

Tel 0115 950 6867

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

9am - 12.20pm and 1.20pm - 3.30 pm

Wednesday and Fridays 9am - 12.20pm

Citizens Advice Nottingham & District

16-18 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6HS Tel 0300 330 5457

Telephone

Monday-Friday 9-5pm

Drop-in

Thursday 10-2pm for vulnerable clients that are unable to access our service by phone or digitally.

Meadows Advice Group

Queens Walk Community Centre, Queens Walk, The Meadows, NG2 2DF Tel 0115 986 0197

Monday-Friday 10-1pm

You can still get financial support and advice on asklion.co.uk

Advice agencies and community organisations are ideally placed to provide financial advice that can help you to get a whole range of financial support. This includes applying for benefits, tax credits, reducing debt, managing household bills and much more.

If you, or someone you know, needs financial support, your first step should be to contact one of the advice agencies or community organisations listed below.

By contacting these agencies, you will be able to talk to an impartial and confidential Adviser about the whole range of financial support and solutions available to you over the longer term.

A directory of information on help and support available in Nottingham is available here www.asklion.co.uk/money

Want to hear about vouchers? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Supermarket and energy vouchers are always promoted through the Help & Support email newsletter from Nottingham City Council. Every month subscribers will also get information about the availability of vouchers, advice on debt and benefits, reducing household bills, employment and job-hunting support including training courses and much, much more. Share it with your friends and family and encourage them to sign up too! Click here to subscribe.

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If you've received a Post Office Voucher as part of additional support being provided via the Energy Bill Rebate scheme, the deadline for cashing these is 30 November. If you do not cash them by this date we will credit your council tax account with the amount of the voucher.

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Nottingham City Council Welfare Rights Service

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Nottingham City Council Welfare Rights Service

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Welfare Rights Service

If you need advice for the first time

We are operating our advice service in a different way, most of our advice is provided over the phone. We do have some face to face appointments available in Bulwell and Broxtowe. We are currently not providing home visits unless there are really exceptional circumstances.

We can offer the following advice/information on our duty telephone line:

Benefit Checks

Advice on claiming identified benefits

Assessments to check eligibility for Disability Benefits eg Personal Independence Payment/Employment Support Allowance.

Advice on expected outcome of claim and what to do if it's not successful.

We can take emergency action identified on any debts you may have pending an appointment or signposting to alternative advice services.

We can identify any grounds to challenge any DWP/HMRC or Local Authority Benefit decision and represent through the process.

Advice on how to claim any grants/trust funds you may be entitled to

If you have an existing case

Our caseworkers will provide you with relevant contact details if you are an existing client. The casework completed will be covering the same issues and to the same standard as previously but with contact over the phone rather than face to face.
Information if you want to make a referral
We have produced the following guide for referral agencies.

We can help citizens who find themselves in the following situations:

have no money e.g. benefits have stopped - we can help with the reinstatement of benefit, making a new claim, appeals, food vouchers etc

they aren't sure what benefits they can claim - we can help with a benefit check

they have been furloughed and not sure if they have any other benefit entitlement

debt advice but only if there is at least one priority debt eg Council tax, rent, TV Licence, fine, court papers

Advice about debt, benefits, housing, employment and more

Nottingham City Council funds and directly deliver welfare rights advice across the city with the aim of improving the income and living standards of Nottingham people.

Our Welfare Rights Service offers free, confidential and impartial advice and advocacy on the following matters:

Benefits and Tax Credits

Benefit checks to make sure you're claiming all you're entitled to

Guidance with benefit claim forms

Supporting you to challenge decisions

Representing you at benefit appeal tribunals

Debts

Preparing financial statements and offering budgeting advice as long as you have at least one priority debt or we can signpost to alternative advice services.

Supporting tenants and homeowners with arrears and possession proceedings

Helping you with court forms

Advice and help with insolvency options such as bankruptcy or Debt Relief Orders

Access the Service

Telephone: 0115 915 1355
Lines open: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:50 pm

Email: welfarerights@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Also see

Related Pages

Tel: 0115 915 1355

welfarerights@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

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We are operating our advice service in a different way, most of our advice is provided over the phone. We do have some face to face appointments available in Bulwell and Broxtowe. We are currently not providing home visits unless there are really exceptional circumstances.

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SmartPurse - for a carefree financial future

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Hol dir das Wissen, das du benötigst um besser mit Geld zu werden und deine finanzielle Zukunft abzusichern.

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Get advice on dealing with debt, bailiffs, bankruptcy, pensions, tax and more.

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Food banks are community organisations that can help if you can't afford the food you need.

You'll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it. This includes all food banks run by the Trussell Trust.

You can get a referral for yourself and any family members you live with - including your partner.

You might be able to use some food banks without a referral - for example, if it's run by a church. Contact your local food bank to see if you need a referral.

Getting a referral

You can ask Citizens Advice to refer you to a food bank. They'll usually make an appointment for you to discuss your situation with an adviser first.

The adviser will ask you some questions to check you're eligible for the food bank. If you're eligible, they'll give you a voucher for your nearest food bank.

They can also check if you should be getting any benefits you're not currently claiming and tell you about other local help you could get. The adviser can give you advice about budgeting and any debts you have.

If you can't go to Citizens Advice

You can ask for a referral from another organisation - for example your GP, housing association or social worker.

Your local council might be able to tell you how to get a referral to a food bank. You can find your local council's contact details on GOV.UK.

When you contact your local council, ask if they can also help you with other essential costs like clothes and petrol. They might give you help from their 'household support fund' or 'welfare assistance scheme'.

Going to a food bank

When an organisation refers you to a food bank, they'll give you a voucher and tell you where the food bank is. Check if the voucher is only valid on a specific day - you can ask the person who refers you.

If the food bank is run by the Trussell Trust you can check the address on the Trussell Trust website.

The food bank will give you a food parcel. Your parcel will usually contain enough food for 3 days. The food bank might also be able to give you essential toiletries, like toothpaste or deodorant.

When you visit the food bank, let them know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements - they should be able to help you.

The food bank might be able to deliver your food parcel if:

you live in a rural area and can't afford to travel

you're sick or disabled and can't travel

Contact the food bank to check if they can deliver.

If the food bank is run by a church or other religious group, they'll still help you if you're not religious or from a different religion.

If you need to use the food bank again

You'll need to get another referral before you can use the food bank again.

Some food banks have a limit on the number of times you can visit - but it's still worth asking if you really need the food. If you're in this situation, talk to an adviser.

The adviser will ask you some questions about why you still need to use the food bank. They'll refer you if they agree it's the best way to help you. Even if they can't refer you they'll give you advice on debt or problems with benefits if you need it.

Get help with the cost of living

If you're over 18, you can use the Turn2us benefits calculator to check which benefits you can get.

You can also check what other help you can get with the cost of living.

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Food banks are community organisations that can help if you can't afford the food you need. You'll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it. This includes all food banks run by the Trussell Trust.

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If you're in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils and other organisations.

Advance and hardship payments

If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you can ask for an advance payment after you've made a claim.

You can also ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction.

You need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments - they'll be lower until you pay it back.

Change how you get your Universal Credit

If you're having financial difficulties or you're behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement ( APA).

Depending on your circumstances, you could get an APA to:

get your rent paid directly to your landlord

get paid more frequently than once a month

receive split payments, if you're part of a couple

Speak to your work coach to apply for an APA.

Budgeting Advance

You might be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help with:

emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker

getting a job or staying in work

funeral costs

You'll repay it through your regular Universal Credit payments - these will be lower until you pay it back. If you stop getting Universal Credit, you'll have to repay the money in another way.

How much you can borrow

What you get will depend on how much you need - you'll agree the amount with your work coach.

The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. You can get up to:

£348 if you're single

£464 if you're part of a couple

£812 if you have children

Eligibility

To get a Budgeting Advance, all of the following must apply:

you've been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or State Pension Credit for 6 months or more, unless you need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work

you've earned less than £2,600 (£3,600 together for couples) in the past 6 months

you've paid off any previous Budgeting Advance loans

How to apply

To apply, you can do any of the following:

Other benefits you can claim

If you want to claim a benefit without your savings, your partner's savings or their income being taken into account, you can apply for either:

Use a benefits calculator to find out what other benefits you could get, for example Personal Independence Payment if you're disabled.

Other financial support you might get

If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to get other payments too.

Help with housing costs and bills

You might be able to get:

You can get advice on reducing your energy bills from:

Help if you're pregnant or have a child

You might be able to get free:

You might also be able to get:

Help with legal costs

You might be able to get:

Help with other costs

You might be able to get:

You might also be able to get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Card for discounts on:

Advice on money and debt

You can get help and advice from:

You can also get help from the Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme), but you will need to find a debt advisor first to be able to apply.

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If you're in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils and other organisations. If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you can ask for an advance payment after you've made a claim.

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Trussell Trust East and West Nottingham Food Bank

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Trussell Trust East and West Nottingham Food Bank

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Your local food banks work with referral agencies to issue food vouchers to those in need of emergency food in times of crisis.

Getting a Food Voucher

We provide a minimum of three days' nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried food donated by the local community.

What's in a Food Parcel?

Food banks provide emergency food on presentation of a voucher. Our trained volunteers will offer a warm welcome...

Visiting a food bank

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East & West Nottingham Foodbank - The Trussell Trust

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Your local food banks work with referral agencies to issue food vouchers to those in need of emergency food in times of crisis. Getting a Food Voucher We provide a minimum of three days' nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried food donated by the local community. What's in a Food Parcel?

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We’ve made a list of all the registered food banks in Nottinghamshire, to make it easy for you and yours to donate this season...

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Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

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What we do

Housing Aid delivers the statutory homeless function within the Nottingham City area. If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness we can provide advice, assistance and support in:

Finding accommodation

Help keeping your existing accommodation

Benefits advice

Debt and budgeting advice

Advice on keeping a tenancy

Keeping you safe in your home

Opening Times

Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 5:00 pm

Wednesday 10:00 to 5:00 pm

0115 876 3300

Email: housingaid@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Customer Hub
Loxley House
Trent Street
Nottingham
NG2 3NG

Accessibility

All our buildings have ramp access. We also offer translators and BSL speakers.

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Housing Aid delivers the statutory homeless function within the Nottingham City area. If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness we can provide advice, assistance and support in: Finding accommodation Help keeping your existing accommodation Benefits advice Debt and budgeting advice Advice on keeping a tenancy Keeping you safe in your home Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 5:00 pm Wednesday 10:00 to 5:00 pm 0115 876 3300 Email: housingaid@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Customer HubLoxley HouseTrent StreetNottinghamNG2 3NG All our buildings have ramp access.

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Tell us more

If you have a problem then we want to be able to help you - either in person or by signposting you to further support. Please use the forms below to tell us more about your current situation.

Please start by telling us where you live, as you need to live in certain areas to be entitled to certain services.

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Get help - Framework Housing Association

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If you have a problem then we want to be able to help you - either in person or by signposting you to further support. Please use the forms below to tell us more about your current situation. Please start by telling us where you live, as you need to live in certain areas to be entitled to certain services.

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Nottshelpyourself | Listings in Housing advice and support

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Nottingham housing support

Our charity has 98 fully furnished room in the city centre, which feature shared kitchens and communal areas for residents. Our accommodation is staffed 24 hours a day by the YMCA Housing team, with staff members on hand at the main reception (4 Shakespeare Street) to provide support for residents, receive housing application forms and answer queries.

Transitional Homes

Depending on the needs of the individual, applicants may be placed in one of our transitional houses, which are based in the community across Nottingham. Whether based at our hostels or transitional shared properties, all residents have ongoing access to YMCA key worker support along their journey of regaining independence.

Length of stay

Please note that YMCA's provisions are primarily geared towards providing temporary housing support for individuals in need of emergency accommodation.

Minimum tenancy: 3-6 months

Maximum tenancy: 2 years

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Supported Housing in Nottingham | Homelessness | YMCA

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Nottingham housing support Our charity has 98 fully furnished room in the city centre, which feature shared kitchens and communal areas for residents. Our accommodation is staffed 24 hours a day by the YMCA Housing team, with staff members on hand at the main reception (4 Shakespeare Street) to provide support for residents, receive housing application forms and answer queries.

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It might be hard to think about setting aside any money as savings, but at the very least it's a good idea to try and have some emergency savings.

Emergency savings is money to fall back on if you have an emergency, such as a boiler breakdown or if you can't work for a while.

You want to be able to pay for an unexpected repair, but it's also important to have enough money for a few months in a sticky situation.

Say you lost your job or split up with your partner, and needed some time to get back on your feet - you'll want a bit more than the cost of a new boiler or washing machine.

Don't worry if you can't save this straight away but keep it as a target to aim for.

The best way to save money is to pay some money into a savings account every month.

Once you've set aside your emergency fund, possible savings goals to consider might include:

buying a car without taking out a loan

taking a holiday without having to worry about the bills when you get back

having some extra money to draw on while you're on maternity or paternity leave.

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Beginner's guide to managing your money | MoneyHelper

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It might be hard to think about setting aside any money as savings, but at the very least it's a good idea to try and have some emergency savings. Emergency savings is money to fall back on if you have an emergency, such as a boiler breakdown or if you can't work for a while.

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How is child poverty defined in the UK?

A child is considered to be growing up in poverty if they live in a household whose income is 60% below the average (median) income in a given year.

Even before the pandemic, 4.3 million children were living in poverty in the UK, up 200,000 from the previous year - and up 500,000 over the past five years. That is 31% of children.

The End Child Poverty Coalition (which we are a part of) has recently published local child poverty data.

This data takes households' housing costs into account. Housing costs include rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, buildings insurance payments, ground rent and services charges.

'After housing costs' data allows us to compare incomes for households in different parts of the country where housing costs vary.

The data, which covers the five years from 2014/15 to 2019/20, shows child poverty levels across the UK at local authority and constituency level. This means it tells us about the scale of the problem going into the pandemic - during 2019/20.

Where is child poverty rising fastest in the UK?

The North East of England has seen the most dramatic rise in child poverty in the past five years. The child poverty rate has risen by over a third - from 26% to 37%. Many low-paid workers in the region have been pushed below the poverty line by a freeze in their in-work social security benefits (financial support for people who work, but are on low incomes).

Newcastle upon Tyne has seen an increase in child poverty of more than 12% over the last five years. Rising from 28.4% of children living in poverty to 41.2%.

These figures have moved the North East England child poverty rate from just below the UK average five years ago, to the second highest of any region in 2019/20, after London (where 38% of children are in poverty).

The figures speak for themselves - the situation for children couldn't be starker. We all want to live in a society where children are supported to be the best they can be, but the reality is very different for too many.
Anna Feuchtwang, Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition

Where is child poverty most common in the UK?

The data shows London and Birmingham, the two largest UK cities, as having the greatest concentrations of child poverty.

In those cities, there are several constituencies where most children were below the poverty line in 2019/20. Before the job losses and pay cuts associated with the pandemic worsened the situation.

The London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow had the highest concentration of child poverty in the UK in 2019/20, with 59.6% of children living below the poverty line after their families pay housing costs.

We've created an interactive map that shows the scale of the problem.

Child poverty rates across the UK

Percentage of children in poverty, 2019/20, by country:

Percentage of children in poverty, 2019/20, by English region:

London - 38%

North East - 37%

West Midlands - 35%

Yorkshire and the Humber - 33%

North West - 31%

East Midlands - 27%

South West - 26%

East of England - 26%

South East - 24%

How you can make a difference

These figures are a clear reminder that more needs to be done to support children and young people living in low-income families.

After 12 long months struggling to cope with job losses, pay cuts and rising costs, families with children have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.

Poverty destroys life chances. You cannot level up the country with millions of children in poverty so it's vital the Government brings forward a credible plan to reduce poverty.
Imran Hussain, Director of Policy, Action for Children

We're urging the Government to set out and deliver a comprehensive and ambitious plan to end child poverty. This must include:

Supporting children by boosting child-focussed support, such as Child Benefit.

Reversing the £20/week cut to Universal Credit to help struggling families.

Extending the £20/week uplift in Universal Credit to those in receipt of legacy benefits.

They will only do this if they are under pressure from Members of Parliament, that's where you come in.

Help us reach more vulnerable children

Families all over the UK are struggling to afford the basics, like food and clothes. And Christmas can be the hardest time of all.

We're doing everything we can to change this - and we need your help right now.

Be a Secret Santa

Find out how

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Where is child poverty increasing in the UK?

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A child is considered to be growing up in poverty if they live in a household whose income is 60% below the average (median) income in a given year. Even before the pandemic, 4.3 million children were living in poverty in the UK, up 200,000 from the previous year - and up 500,000 over the past five years.

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Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical support to people facing financial insecurity. We help people gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other support - online, by phone and face to face through our work in communities and the organisations we partner with.

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BBC -Surviving the Cost of Living Crisis

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BBC -Surviving the Cost of Living Crisis

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BBC Panorama - Surviving the Cost of Living Crisis

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Why is it so hard to escape poverty? - Ann-Helén Bay

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You are a carer if you provide unpaid support to a family member, neighbour or friend. They could need support because they are ill, frail, disabled or have a mental health or substance misuse problem.

The support you provide could be:

washing and dressing

shopping and food preparation

helping with laundry or housework

keeping someone company

helping someone take medication

emotional support or help managing difficult behaviour

keeping an 'eye' on someone to make sure they are safe.

You are still a carer if you:

don't live with the person you care for

are not the only person providing care to someone

are caring for more than one person

are not related to the person you care for.

Carers' information booklet.

Find out about our offer for carers in our Carers Strategy

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You are a carer if you provide unpaid support to a family member, neighbour or friend. They could need support because they are ill, frail, disabled or have a mental health or substance misuse problem.

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Burgers and Coats: County Lines Exploitation

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Burgers and Coats: County Lines Exploitation

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Criminals are using burgers and warm coats to recruit hungry, cold children into "county lines" gangs in towns and cities across the UK, experts are warning.

Headteachers across the country say that the cost of living crisis is leading to increasing numbers of pupils being groomed by sophisticated gangs to run drugs from one city to other parts of the country.

With cuts to youth support and other public services in local areas, and problems recruiting enough school support staff due to low pay, many say they are fighting a losing battle to keep vulnerable children safe outside school.

Sara Cunningham, director of Diversify, a charity based in Rotherham which runs anti-grooming workshops in schools across the UK, told the Observer: "You've got children whose families can't afford school meals, and they are outside, hungry and cold. Someone in nice trainers turns up and gets them a burger or a warm coat. That's often how they are being recruited."

Cunningham says many schools have cut back on the number of staff on playground duty at lunchtime due to financial pressures, so gangs can approach young people then. Her charity has photos of gang members passing packages through school fences during lunch break.

She added: "School picking-up time is very dangerous. Right now, many parents are having to work longer hours and they aren't around after school. That's when a gang member is outside the school gates or the takeaway."

"Every school we go into, whether it's in rural Sussex or a city like Hull, says that county lines are a problem."

She has a team of 12 volunteers who were themselves recruited into gangs, and who talk to schoolchildren about how free gifts "quickly become a very dark world".

One of her team has scars on her arms from being attacked with a machete. She witnessed the murder of a friend, someone died from taking heroin that she delivered, and she eventually had to buy her way out of the gang.

Joe Caluori, head of research and policy at crime and justice consultancy Crest, and an expert on county lines, said that "sophisticated" gangs, operating from places like Merseyside, are reaping the benefits of depleted public services across the country, including cuts to youth support services in local areas, adolescent support teams in local authorities, and school support services.

"They target hopeless, poverty-stricken places like the Medway towns in Kent," he said. "It's really easy to groom young people in these places, which are public service deserts."

He added that the police and children's services in areas outside big cities typically have neither sufficient funding nor experience to deal effectively with gangs or violence.

"Gangs advertise on social media, where young people are looking for opportunities to make money. A lot of this is happening completely invisibly away from parents and social services."

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders union, said that a recent meeting of heads in the north of England, which he expected to focus mainly on the current funding crisis inside schools, was instead dominated by fears about county lines gangs and "life outside school unraveling". "One head told us that kids are hungry, and if you offer them free food they will take it and end up delivering drugs for you." He added that county lines exploitation is "rife" in rural areas, where there is less support available from cash-strapped social services and police.

His union is concerned that vulnerable pupils are now more likely to become disengaged because schools across the country are struggling to recruit and hold on to pastoral and support staff due to low pay. Heads across the country are planning to cut more support staff to tackle enormous deficits, which many say won't be plugged by Jeremy Hunt's announcement of £2.3bn extra funding a year for two years in last month's autumn statement.

"Schools have tried their best to employ people to keep kids on the margins engaged and stop them being excluded. But now there are fewer and fewer of these support staff," he said.

The head of a secondary school in North Yorkshire, who asked not to be named, said: "At meetings locally, I hear about young people being threatened or bundled into cars at the weekend. Every school will have young people who have been the victim of some violence or criminal activity related to county lines."

The head worries that children in her leafy local area are vulnerable to exploitation by these gangs because they aren't streetwise, there isn't much to do outside school, and many of their families are really struggling to afford food, bills and heating.

"If there is lots of extra stress at home, young people will go anywhere for comfort. In my experience, young people get involved in crime and drugs because they feel unhappy or isolated or unloved."

She added that in rural areas like hers it is much harder to get support from social services. "The general public would be shocked at how high the threshold has to be before you get help with a young person you are worried about."

Shay Doyle (not his real name), who has written a new book about his years as an undercover police officer infiltrating organised crime in Manchester, said: "These gangs see children as expendable commodities. Given the cost of living crisis, there are many more children who are vulnerable to these wicked individuals."

He added: "The grooming process can vary. One kid might be won over by a burger, another by expensive trainers. Some just want to hang out with the bad guys and feel protected."

He warned that many schools don't want to acknowledge that they have a gang problem or pupils dealing drugs. "There should be compulsory training on county lines for all teachers and support staff. The threat to children is so high now."

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Burgers and coats: county lines gangs exploit hardship to recruit UK kids

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Criminals are using burgers and warm coats to recruit hungry, cold children into "county lines" gangs in towns and cities across the UK, experts are warning. Headteachers across the country say that the cost of living crisis is leading to increasing numbers of pupils being groomed by sophisticated gangs to run drugs from one city to other parts of the country.

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If you are a worker aged 23 and over, and not in your first year of an apprenticeship, you are legally entitled to at least the National Living Wage of £10.42 per hour.

It is illegal for your employer to pay you below the National Living Wage, so check your pay and talk to your manager to make sure you're getting the wages you are entitled to.

Call the Acas helpline if you would like confidential advice on your pay and rights at work.

Think you are being underpaid? Find out how to report this to HMRC. This only takes 5 minutes and you can report your employer even if you no longer work for them. Your details will not be shared with your employer.

If you are a worker aged under 23, you are legally entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage rate relevant to your age group.

Date 21 to 22 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice

It is illegal for your employer to pay you less than the National Minimum Wage, so check your pay and talk to your manager to make sure you're getting the pay rate increase you are entitled to.

Call the Acas helpline if you would like confidential advice on your pay and rights at work.

Think you are being underpaid? Find out how to report this to HMRC. This only takes 5 minutes and you can report your employer even if you no longer work for them. Your details will not be shared with your employer.

If you are in your first year of your apprenticeship then you are legally entitled to at least the apprenticeship National Minimum Wage pay rate of £5.28 per hour.

If you are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, then you are legally entitled to the higher National Living and Minimum Wage rates relevant to your age group.

Call the Acas helpline if you would like confidential advice and support on your pay and rights at work.

Think you are being underpaid? Find out how to report this to HMRC. This only takes 5 minutes and you can report your employer even if you no longer work for them. Your details will not be shared with your employer.

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It is illegal for your employer to pay you below the National Living Wage, so check your pay and talk to your manager to make sure you're getting the wages you are entitled to.

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All the latest content about Cost of living from the BBC.

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"Supermarkets play on your emotions - it's your sense of smell, so they're cooking nice fresh bread, and they put it right at the other end of the supermarket, and so of course you're going to walk down those aisles, and along the way you're going to see all those bargains at the end of the aisles."

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Cost of living: 'Top tips' to Nottingham shoppers amid rising costs

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A charity says it is trying to help people avoid getting "caught out" by tempting supermarket deals.