Plans to allocate £180,000 to help low-income households across South Cambridgeshire who are facing financial hardship have been agreed by district councillors.
The package of targeted support - which will also be used to help households build longer-term financial resilience - was outlined at today’s (Tuesday 29 September) South Cambridgeshire District Council Cabinet meeting.
The funding comes from the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, a national Government scheme through the Department for Work and Pensions and held locally by Cambridgeshire County Council. Through the programme, Cambridgeshire County Council allocated £180,000 to South Cambridgeshire District Council for local projects during 2026/27.
The funding will now support a range of initiatives across South Cambridgeshire, including:
- Baby boxes containing essential items for newborns in low-income households.
- Emergency supermarket vouchers for residents facing crisis situations.
- Travel support to help people get to healthcare, employment, training and essential services.
- Debt reduction schemes linked to financial advice and income maximisation support.
- Specialist disability benefit advice appointments.
- Energy prepayment meter vouchers to help prevent households being cut off from their gas or electricity during winter.
- A savings incentive scheme to encourage residents to build financial resilience through the Government's Help to Save programme.
Further details about the schemes, including eligibility criteria and how residents can access support, will be confirmed soon.
The plans were developed using local knowledge, experiences and evidence, including discussions with residents about the challenges faced by lower-income households across the district. Data held by the Council was also used, offering a further layer of insight to better target those who need support most.
The Council says the projects were selected to provide both immediate support during difficult periods and practical help to strengthen financial security over the longer term.
South Cambridgeshire District Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, Cllr Dr Lisa Redrup, said: “Lots of households are still feeling the impact of higher food, fuel, and household bills. We know there are residents and families who can find themselves struggling when faced with an unexpected expense or a change in circumstances."
"That's why these plans are so important. They’re designed not only to provide practical support during times of crisis, but also to help people build longer-term financial resilience and stability. From help with essential costs and debt support to encouraging savings and improving access to benefits, we're proposing a range of measures that could make a real difference to some of our most vulnerable residents."
"No one should have to face financial hardship alone. This package of help means we can continue supporting people through difficult periods while giving them the tools and confidence to become more financially secure in the future."
Councillor Alison Whelan, chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It’s great to see how South Cambridgeshire District Council will use funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund to provide targeted support that will boost financial security and quality of life for families across their district.
“I’m delighted that working together with South Cambridgeshire District Council, we’re able to ensure that this money will be going to help vulnerable families in the areas that need it most.”
