Oldham 'cost-of-living emergency' to be declared next week

Oldham Labour are set to declare a cost-of-living emergency at next week's full Council meeting.

Oldhamers are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 88% of adults in the Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in May 2022, due to a range of factors including rising inflation, increases in energy and fuel prices, government tax rises and rising food prices.

Oldham Council recently hosted a cost-of-living summit to look at how best to support our residents as inflation, energy, food and fuel prices continue to rise.

The Council is now developing a comprehensive plan to tackle the crisis and delivering real tangible help for those who need it.

With energy bills set to rise to more than £3,000 next month, and possibly rising to above £4,000 in January; inflation predicted to hit 18.6% by investment bank Citi; average petrol prices up 30% at their peak compared to the beginning of the year, many families in Oldham are struggling and many people are now being pushed into poverty.

Over 15% of households in Oldham are in fuel poverty, with this number likely to rise over the coming winter.

The number of food parcels given out by the Oldham foodbank has more than doubled compared to previous years.

In 2021, 36% of children in Oldham were in relative poverty - the highest of Greater Manchester’s 10 Local Authorities - and the unemployment rate in Oldham remains above the national average, while 23% of Oldhamers are paid below the Real Living Wage (as of 2021).

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, leader of the Council, will put forward the proposal.

She said: "The time for action is now, we will declare a cost-of-living emergency and call on the new Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to step up to the crease and help those who need it. 

"No one should be making the choice between heating or eating this winter.

"The Conservative Government is missing in action while people worry about paying their bills.

"Our demands to Government are simple: freeze the energy price cap to protect families this winter, come good and deliver on levelling up promises to deprived areas who need investment and support more than ever, deliver on promises to fix social care, and increase the support offered to local authorities so we who knew our communities best can make the most difference here on the ground in Oldham."

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance and Low Carbon, added: "Oldham Council is working urgently across all departments to support our most vulnerable residents, including offering help with benefits and money advice, signposting residents in the direction of further support including the programme of support provided by the Household Support Fund, our ambitious Holiday Activities and Food programme and the recent cost-of-living summit, which brought council services, partners and community representatives together to develop ideas.

"While many of the economic factors causing the current cost of living crisis are outside of our control as a local authority, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing the assistance we do have at our disposal to those residents struggling the most."

If you need help managing, contact the Oldham Council helpline on 0161 770 7007 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or look online here or here

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