1b. Data Dashboard August 2025
Renfrewshire Council · 3 September 2025
Back to Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee — 3 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Prepared by: Policy and Partnerships tacklingpoverty@renfrewshire.gov.uk Cost of Living Dashboard August 2025 Fairer Renfrewshire
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Cost of Living Dashboard FAIRER RENFREWSHIRE This dashboard has been developed to provide a summary of key indicators relating to how local households might be impacted by the cost-of-living crisis It has four key sections: economy, social security, financial insecurity and housing Each section has an overview with key indicators and their movement from the last period, supported by additional information and graphs showing further analysis and longer-term trends The dashboard is still in development, and feedback is welcome on the information included and its presentation to ensure it is a useful tool
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Key statistics - economy OVERVIEW 4.00% 3.8% £19.52 134.30p 4.9% £1,720 • CPI Inflation and food inflation trend has started to increase, with the overall rate possibly peaking in September 2025. • Further reduction in interest rates in August with further cuts less likely in 2025. • Energy price cap reduced, with prepayment meters comparatively cheaper than direct debit.
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Inflation The inflation rate inJuly 2025 is 3.8%, up from 3.6% in June. The increase is not consistent across all categories and there are differing fluctuations. The increase in the CPI Rate for June 2025, was largely as a result of higher prices for food and clothing as well as air and rail fares. Food prices rose at a rate of 4.9%, the highest rate since February 2024. Higher costs for key ingredients such as chocolate, butter, coffee, eggs and meat as well as higher energy and labour costs contributed to the increase. Inflation is expected to peak at 4% in September. Interest Rates The Bank of England’s base rate reduced to 4.00% in August 2025, taking the cost of borrowing to the lowest level for more than two years. Interest rate projections are difficult to predict, however many analysts are predicting further rate cuts during 2025 are less likely. Recent price volatility and future price pressures (labour costs and global adverse weather conditions) could lead to further increases in inflation which may dampen the likelihood of the interest rate being cut quickly if inflation rates fluctuate. 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 Bank of England Base Rate Changes
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Earnings Based on the ONS annual survey of hours and earnings, in 2024 the median hourly pay (excluding overtime) for workers in Renfrewshire is lower compared to that for workers in Scotland, and the rest of Great Britain. It should be noted that the median hourly wage for males in Renfrewshire is less than that for females, however when calculating median gross weekly pay females receive less earnings - £803.40 per week for males compared to £708.60 per week for females. Employment Rate The ONS Labour Force Survey shows the Claimant Count for those claiming benefits 'principally for the reason of being unemployed', which now stands at 3,360. This is based on numbers claiming JSA and Universal Credit. These numbers are based on those aged 16 and over and are not seasonally adjusted. The Renfrewshire unemployment rate has not yet been published for June 2025. The Scotland rate (3.1%) is lower than that of Great Britain (4.1%). £19.52 £19.19 £18.73 £18.97 £19.50 £19.37 £19.53 £18.95 £17.92 £17.00 £17.50 £18.00 £18.50 £19.00 £19.50 £20.00 Renfrewshire Scotland Great Britain Full-time Workers Male Full-time workers Female Full-time workers 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 Claimant Count
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Economic Inactivity The ONS Labour Force Survey also provides details on those aged 16+ that are economically inactive and not seeking work. Between April 2024 to March 2025, of the 26,000 people aged 16-64 that are classed as economically inactive, 86.9% are not looking for employment (either in the long-term or short/medium term). The percentage of economically inactive people aged 16- 64 that want to gain employment (either in long-term or short/medium term) in Renfrewshire (13.1%) is lower than that of the rates in Scotland (17.0%) and Great Britain (19.0%). The Renfrewshire figure could be underestimated due to the sample size. Please note that due to the sample size within Renfrewshire, some categories do not have a reliable estimate (e.g. looking after family/home, temporary sick or other). Student 27% Long-Term Sick 32% Retired 21% Looking after family/home or Other 20% Economically Inactive
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Fuel Prices From the UK Government’s weekly fuel price publication, the average UK pump price on 5 August 2025 is 134.30 pence per litre for petrol, and 142.13 pence per litre for diesel. Energy Price Cap The Energy Price Cap sets a limit on the maximum amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity used and sets a maximum daily standing charge. That means there is no upper limit to what a user pays, if more energy is used,more is paid. The Energy Price Cap now changes every three months mainly based on average energy wholesale prices in the months leading up to each change. From July 2025 the Energy Price Cap has reduced to £1,720 per year for those on a monthly direct debit, and to £1,672 per year for those with a prepayment meter. The Energy Price Cap from October 2025 is predicted to increase slightly. £0 £500 £1,000 £1,500 £2,000 £2,500 £3,000 £3,500 £4,000 £4,500 Direct Debit Prepayment
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Key statistics - social security OVERVIEW 18,160 10,565 4,136 3,727 • Households claiming Universal Credit increasing, this includes new cases and managed migration from tax credits and legacy benefits. • Slight decrease in number of children receiving Scottish Child Payment compared to December 2024.
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Universal Credit Households on Universal Credit (UC) continue to rise with 18,160 households in Renfrewshire receiving UC as of March 2025 (provisional figures). Starting in August 2023, the managed migration from tax credits to UC contributed to the rises in the UC caseload, with the legacy tax credit system closing for payments in April 2025. From April 2024, the managed migration process commenced for those claimants still on Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance and should be complete by 2026. In July 2025, the DWP published statistics showing the impact of the two-child limit policy on families in receipt of UC. As of April 2025, in Renfrewshire there were 1,170 households in receipt of UC with 3 or more children. Of these, 840 households are not receiving a child element/amount for at least one child. The current monthly UC child element amount is £292.81 per month (rate from April 2025). 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 Number of Renfrewshire Households on UC
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Free School Meals and Clothing Grants The 2024/25 Free School Meals and Clothing Grant application process commenced in June 2024 and closed in May 2025. The 2025/26 Free School Meals and Clothing Grant application process commenced at the start of June 2025. The number of applications received between June 2025 (3,267) and July 2025 is down compared to the corresponding period as last year (3,525). The award rate at the end of July 2025 (81.3%) is higher than at the same point last year (72.1%) with less cases outstanding awaiting a decision. This drop could be down to fluctuations in school rolls and eligibility and there could also be less repeat or duplicate applications. Large numbers of Child Tax Credit claimants did not move to UC and therefore could have lost eligibility. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Number of FSM/CG Applications Received up to end of July
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Key statistics - financial insecurity OVERVIEW 1,342 £1.125m 1,929 2,450 • Foodbank vouchers issued slightly down compared to last quarter, and a decrease compared to the same period last year. • Number of Crisis Grants applications awarded is down compared to the same period last year but spend is up. • Number of people approaching local advice agencies down this period, but wider trend is upward.
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More than 3 vouchers needed in the last 6 months In terms of more than 3 vouchers needed in the last 6 months there has been a steady decrease in overall cases. There has been a quarterly increase in Benefit Delays/Sanctions being a specified reason. Foodbank Vouchers Foodbank vouchers issued in Q1 2025/26 (1,342) assisted 854 children and 1,775 adults. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Foodbank Vouchers Issued by Quarter 0 50 100 150 200 250 Awaiting first benefit payment Benefit delay or sanction Debt Domestic abuse Drug or alcohol dependency Homelessness Long term health condition Long term unemployment No access to financial support due to… Other - low income Other Reason for needing more than 3 vouchers in the last 6 months (2025/26 Cumulative)
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Advice Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (RCAB) continue to support a high level of new clients. The number of clients who received an appointment during Q1 2025/26 is 165 - slightly less compared to the same period in 2024/25. N.B. These figures do not include the number of calls/emails from people looking for signposting information. Debt Under Management Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau continue to deal with a high level of enquiries regarding debt. The combined level of new debt cases under management is shown below, by quarter over the last 4 years. The levels reported in Q1 for 2024/25 look to be outlier figures with Q1 figures for 2025/26 returning to figures closer to 2023/24 and the remainder of 2024/25 figures. - 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Combined Advice New Client Cases 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 £0.00 £500,000.00 £1,000,000.00 £1,500,000.00 £2,000,000.00 £2,500,000.00 £3,000,000.00 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Debt Under Management 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26
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Scottish Welfare Fund There have been 2,931 applications for Crisis Grants between April 2025 and July 2025 with £233,768 awarded. This is an average award rate of 66%. Nationwide, the main reasons for a CG not being awarded are “reasons for application do not meet the conditions of award” and “excluded as a result of previous applications”. Generally, awards are restricted to 3 within a 12-month rolling period however discretion can be used. In Renfrewshire, discretion isfrequently exercised. Cost-of-living pressures can result in I higher rate of immediate financial crises for many households as they have less flexibility to manage budgets. Nationwide 52% of Crisis Grant awards are made to single persons, with 22% made to single parents. This suggests single people and single parents, who rely on one income within the household, are financially struggling in terms of income and disproportionately by expenditure due to housing, energy, fuel, and food costs. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 Crisis Grant Applications by month
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Key statistics - housing OVERVIEW 16,4675,425 317 4,598 • New homeless cases up significantly in Q1 compared to previous year’s Q4, and wider trend is upward. • No real change in the proportions of people reporting why they became homeless or where they are from. • More tenants in rent arrears this period, but a decrease in the value of arrears compared to same period last year.
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Council Tenants in arrears As at the end of July 2025, 4,598 current tenants were in rent arrears totaling £2.5m. This figure includes all levels of arrears some of which are caused by Universal Credit payment processes. Staff within Housing Services continue to work with tenants to address rent arrears and provide advice/signpost tenants to support services and agencies where financial difficulties are identified. For the period 1 April 2025 – 31 July 2025, 45 tenants have qualified for Tenant Support Fund assistance with £3,889 awarded. Homeless Cases The Housing and Homeless Advice Service had 317 new cases within Q1 in 2025/26 compared to 244 for the same period in 2024/25 – a 30% increase. There is unprecedented demand for the homeless service with the current caseload the highest on record. All 4 main reasons declared for homelessness have increased: Termination of mortgage due to rent arrears/default on payment is up by 12, Discharge from prison/hospital/care/other institution up by 11, Dispute with household/relationship breakdown (non violent) up by 20, leaving Asylum accommodation up by 14. £0 £500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000 £2,500,000 £3,000,000 £3,500,000 £4,000,000 Current Tenant Arrears 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 221 247 214 250264 261 227 274 244 283 242 246 317 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 New Homeless Cases 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26
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Housing CostsAverage Monthly Rent Costs From the Office for National Statistics’ local housing statistics publication in July 2025, figures show average rent changes. These statistics are based predominantly on advertised rents, so do not represent rent changes for existing tenants. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are the maximum amount that can be paid for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Housing Costs) for those renting from a private landlord. Any shortfall between charged rent and the amount of HB/UC Housing Costs awarded would have to be made up by the tenant, although Discretionary Housing Payments can be awarded to provide support. The 2025/26 rates have been frozen at the Jan 2024 rate. Property Prices and Mortgage Affordability The average price of a home bought with a mortgage in Renfrewshire was £173,000 in May 2025, which was higher than the average of £159,000 in May 2024. The average price paid by first-time buyers was £129,000 up from £120,000 the previous year. Across Scotland, the average price of a home bought with a mortgage was £200,000, up from £187,000 a year earlier. Average house prices for all property types continue to rise. The house prices combined with recent higher rates have driven up the average monthly mortgage repayment amounts. Whilst the Bank of England base interest rate fell in August 2025, it is expected that future rates will decline slowly and over a longer timescale to ensure inflation rates remain at levels consistent with the 2% target. Renfrewshire Monthly LHA Rates March 2025 LHA Rate April 2025 LHA Rate 1 Bedroom Shared £360 £360 1 Bedroom £400 £400 2 Bedroom £525 £525 3 Bedroom £600 £600 4 Bedroom £1,100 £1,100 Average Monthly Rents in Renfrewshire Jun-25 Annual Change in Average Rents 1 Bedroom £509 8.8% 2 Bedroom £675 8.4% 3 Bedroom £871 8.0% 4 or more Bedroom £1,537 5.8% Type of Property Average Price Average Monthly Mortgage Repayment (Assuming 25 year repayment, 5 year fixed initial agreement and 10% deposit Flat £103,000 £489 Terraced £158,000 £751 Semi-detached £216,000 £1,026 Detached £367,000 £1,743