Fairer Renfrewshire Sub_ Slides 160822 final (002)
Renfrewshire Council · 16 August 2022
Back to Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-committee — 16 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Overview: Food and fuel insecurity Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee 16th August 2022
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Overview • Today’s presentation gives an overview of fuel and food insecurity • Current local work, challenges and next steps • These issues need to be considered in the context of poverty and cost of living crisis –these are not distinct issues • Fundamentally, households need a sufficient income to cover the cost of living a dignified life • This presentation is focussed on work related specifically to food and fuel, and does not cover full range of work on financial insecurity
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Food insecurity
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level What is food insecurity? ‘the inability to acquire or consume an adequate or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so’
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Context • The biggest problem is not having enough money to feed yourself • Emergency food aid is not a long-term solution to hunger –‘cash first’ approaches should be prioritized where this is possible • There are a range of different models of community food provision across Renfrewshire • Food aid should be provided in a dignified way • Good Food Nation Bill passed in June 2022 –we will need to produce a local plan
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Renfrewshire Foodbank RAMH Pantry, Paisley STAR Pantry Plus Ferguslie Community Market Lochwinnoch Community Larder Active Communities Pantry EBI Community Pantry Map of local community food provision
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Current work June 2021 LB agrees funding for three pantries Community Food Fund launched Sept 2021 Community Food Fund awards (DarkwoodCrew, KLAS care, Lochwinnoch Community Larder) October 2021 STAR Pantry Plus re-launched February 2022 RAMH Pantry opens June 2022 Active Communities Pantry opens July 2022 Community Food Fund relaunched
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Other types of food provision • There are a range of food projects funded from other Council sources and externally funded • Breakfast clubs, free school meals and free school meal payments • Street stuff –free food with activities and during school holidays • Community meals service, Food Train • Community growing initiatives • Best Start Foods
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Challenges • Inflation and food prices –inflation risen to 9.4% as of July 2022. • Food and non-alcoholic beverages have risen by 9.8% in the year up to June 2022, up from 8.7% in May and the highest rate since March 2009. • Surplus food supply affected by a number of external factors –HGV driver shortage, logistics and supply chain issues, high demand • Healthy and nutritious food can be less affordable and less accessible
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Case Study: Community Food Fund, Lochwinnoch Community Larder “The Larder is for everyone, regardless of your circumstances. The Larder began delivering food parcels to vulnerable and isolating families during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now evolved into a Community Pantry which redistributed surplus food from supermarkets to anyone who needs it. We changed to a Community Pantry because we wanted to make a greater impact. We knew there were many families who were not stepping forward for help because it felt undignified. We also wanted to create a space where people could meet and socialisewithout spending money. The Larder is now used by nearly 300 households a week, with the total number of people benefiting from it weekly closer to 600.” “I use the Larder as it helps me with certain foods when I lost my job due to COVID. It has helped me massively and helped relieve stress of being on universal credit during this time.” “I think this is a fantastic initiative. I hate food waste so I approve thoroughly of this and it is helping so many people.” “I use the Larder because I am struggling with everything going up in price in the shops.”
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Next steps Next round of Community Food Fund –applications to be considered at September Leadership Board Development of Food Partnership Food Strategy and Action Plan
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Fuel insecurity
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level What is fuel insecurity? A household is in fuel poverty if the household’s fuel costs are more than 10% of the household’s disposable income In Renfrewshire, 31% of households are considered to be in fuel poverty, compared to a Scottish average of 36%. (Feb 2022) Low income High price of fuel Poor energy efficiency How energy is used in the home Main causes of fuel poverty
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Context • The biggest current challenge is the rising cost of domestic fuel due to rises in the energy price cap • Low income households are more likely to have pre-payment meters, which are often more expensive than credit meters (paying by direct debit) • Local anecdotal evidence indicates the consumer environment is more challenging –vulnerable customers often need additional support and advocacy • There is national and local support available for households, but this can be complex and some funding sources can be short-term and/or limited
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Rising energy costs • There have been significant increases in gas and electricity prices over the last year • It is predicted that the energy price cap will be increased by 81% in October, to approximately £3,582 • The cap rose by 54% in April 2022, to £1,971 • This is higher for people on prepayment meters • ‘Shopping’ for cheaper tariffs is largely no longer possible £1,277 £1,971 £3,582 £4,266 £0 £500 £1,000 £1,500 £2,000 £2,500 £3,000 £3,500 £4,000 £4,500 Oct-21 Apr-22 Oct-22 Jan-23 Price Cap Latest predictions
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Current work • Fuel Insecurity Pilot –working alongside Renfrewshire Foodbank, Linstone Housing Association and Renfrewshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau to provide emergency assistance with fuel costs to households alongside energy advice. Available for people on either pre-payment or credit meters. • Energy Management Unit –providing advice and advocacy around fuel and energy issues. • Information sessions for practitioners (Council and partners) as well as RenTalksfor Council, HSCP and OneRenstaff with either personal or professional interest.
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Case Study: Fuel Insecurity Pilot, Renfrewshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau Client A has an extremely low income and also has addiction issues. Client had amounted a large energy debt due to struggling to manage her limited income, and owed £1,450 to Scottish Power. Using the specialist CAB/ Adviser Only Teams at Scottish Power (which bypass the usual press 1234 to speak to a customer services agent) the adviser established that the client was liable for the debt. As Scottish Power had not made a mistake in this case they were unwilling to consider reducing the debt or writing the debt off regardless of client A’s circumstances. Client advised an application to a grant/fund providers would be beneficial in this case as an award to clear or partially clear the debt may be made. The grant/fund provider awarded the full amount of debt owed with a further £200 in fuel vouchers to help the client meet their next few energy top-ups. Adviser also completed a full benefit check for this client to maximise her income.
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Financial Insecurity Winter Payment • Introduced in 2022 using Scottish Government Winter Support Funding, and then topped-up from both Council budget motion and COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund • Flat rate grant of £100 per households, paid directly to bank account • Managed on a referral only basis to ensure fair distribution and targeting of the fund • Co-ordinated by Advice Works, who also offer money advice to all recipients • Simple criteria allow for support to be offered to low-income households whether their income is predominantly social security benefits or if they are working on a low-income. Referral to fund from identified service or partner Advice works call client and assess Further money advice arranged Payments made direct to clients’ bank accounts
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Title can go here • Click to edit Master text styles • Second level • Third level • Fourth level • Fifth level Next steps Continue working with partners to understand issues Share information on available support for practitioners and households Review Financial Insecurity Winter Payment