Latest news with #CityofDoncasterCouncil
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Universal Credit households to receive new £320 Cost of Living payment this summer
The new cost of living payment is available next week, with local authorities set to hand out the cash to those who need it most. Here is how it'll work Households on Universal Credit are set to receive a new £320 summer Cost of Living payment with certain councils offering handouts 'up North'. One council in the East Midlands is dishing out grants of up to £320, all thanks to the DWP 's Household Support Fund, which has seen councils distribute thousands to those feeling the pinch. Residents of North Northamptonshire can snap up supermarket vouchers worth as much as £320 from August 4, as confirmed by the local authority, while Doncaster is also handing out £300 to those in dire need of funds. The City of Doncaster Council is stepping up to provide a one-off payment to residents who are on Housing Benefit, Local Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit that includes housing costs, or means-tested free school meals. North Northamptonshire Council's leader, Jason Smithers, said: "I am pleased that we once again have money from UK Government's HSF through an extension". The spokesperson went on, saying: "We have opted to once again fund food for children on free school meals during the holidays, and ease the financial burden of back to school expenses. In addition, we will be able to help many other residents in the form of supermarket vouchers, to help with balancing finances. I would urge those to not miss out on the opportunity to apply". An that he "would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many community groups who have been instrumental in helping us use HSF to distribute funding where its most needed". "These have included charities and organisations providing all kinds of household support, such as help with emergency energy, white good replacement and provision of lower energy equipment to cook meals, as well as food parcels." "I know they are continuing to use HSF to help our most vulnerable residents and so would like to publicly thank them for their vital support." Since the beginning of the fiscal year in April, Universal Credit has reduced the amount of debt repayments taken from council benefits, reports Birmingham Live. Now with a limit of 15 percent instead of 25, the 'New' Labour change aimed to return money back to the wallets of over a million households struggling with debt, according to However, many remain unhappy with Starmer 's cuts, especially after the Welfare Cuts Bill passed on July 1.
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Reopening date unveiled for abandoned UK airport used by 1.25million passengers
The troubled South Yorkshire airport was mothballed in 2022 when just TUI was operating out of the airport. The City of Doncaster Council has said it is committed to reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport by the spring of 2026 A reopening date has been tabled for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which has been out of operation since November 2022. The City of Doncaster Council has said it is committed to reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport by the spring of 2026, West Bridgford Wire reports. The announcement came after South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he expects to make a decision on releasing gainshare funding for the project in 'early September', which is likely to be crucial for the travel hub's future viability. The new timeline means another delay for the project, which was due to start operating this summer. 'The plan remains to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Spring 2026,' a spokesperson for Mayor Jones said, 'There of course remain a number of interdependencies. 'Once we have the Gainshare decision signed off in early September we can finalise our plans, including progressing with our Airspace, signing-up airlines and freight providers and to employ and train the hundreds of staff required to operate an airport.' READ MORE: Holidaymakers at risk of damaging credit score abroad The Northern travel hub was previously operated from just TUI before the Peel Group declared it financially unviable and closed its doors in 2022. However, the new operators of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, have expressed confidence in the airport's financial viability upon reopening. At its peak in 2016, 1.25million passengers moved through the airport in a year. German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will be providing operational and management services. In February this year Dr Lutz Weisser, managing director for MAI, stated that while it was "too early" to announce airlines or destinations, lengthy and confidential discussions with airlines were ongoing. "The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there. This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don't have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things," he said, according to the BBC. "It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting." Christian Foster, the council programme director and director of FlyDoncaster, revealed forward-looking plans at a recent council meeting, emphasising the intention to diversify airline operations at Doncaster. According to the Sun, he said: "Working with our advisers from Munich we are very clear we want to target a number of airlines and have already been having those conversations for over 12 months with certain airlines. "Having a strategy where you only have an airport with one airline doesn't work for Doncaster and hence we want a minimum of four to five and that's where we are working at. We are very keen to get our airspace returned back to 24 hours for next year." Meanwhile, TUI has dropped strong hints of making a comeback to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which was once part of its network flying travellers to sunny destinations like Cyprus and Spain. Reflecting on past connections, a TUI spokesperson said in February: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed. We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening."
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Doncaster: Homes on former greenbelt recommended for approval
Plans for 186 new homes on former greenbelt land in South Yorkshire have been recommended for approval. The homes would be built off Averley Lane in Balby, with the land removed from the greenbelt four years ago when City of Doncaster Council agreed its local development is set to have 43 properties marked as "affordable homes", with the 143 others "market housing", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. A report said the site is "allocated for housing within the Doncaster local plan and is therefore acceptable in principle". The plan received 72 third party objections, two neutral representations and one in recommended the council's planning committee to grant planning permission, subject to a number of developer should be required to pay for bus service improvements totalling more than £100,000, the report said, along with £50,000 towards a scheme for greenbelt compensatory local authority will discuss the application on 1 July. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Families on Universal Credit have days left to apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible
Scroll down to see if you are eligible HELPING HAND Families on Universal Credit have days left to apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of families on Universal Credit can claim up to £300 this month. This leg-up comes from the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) - a huge £742 million fund going straight to councils across England. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Families with three or more children can claim £300 from City of Doncaster Council Credit: Alamy The HSF is a government-backed scheme designed to help vulnerable households with essentials like food, energy bills and other living costs. Each local council is given the freedom to decide how to distribute the money, making sure it directly helps the people who need it most in their area. City of Doncaster Council is distributing a one‑off cash payment through HSF. Those typically eligible for this support are already receiving one of the following: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit which includes the housing element Means-tested free school meals Households on Universal Credit can receive food vouchers worth £100 if they have one dependent child. Those with two children will pick up £200, while households with three or more children will be given £300 to help cover food costs. City of Doncaster Council defines a dependent child as one for whom you receive Child Benefit. Besides families with children, other eligible households - including those without children - can receive £100 to help cover energy bills. The council is also allocating £150,000 towards local food banks and its hygiene bank. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now An additional £100,000 will boost community hubs, helping vulnerable households right in the community. Meanwhile, a huge £400,000 is now earmarked for the updated Local Assistance Scheme. How can people get the payment? Those who have received help from the Household Support Fund in the past - and still meet the criteria - will not need to apply. Instead, the payment will automatically hit their bank accounts. But they will need to contact the council if their bank details have changed. Those previously paid by cheque will receive the payment by cheque - unless they provide the council with their bank details. Others will need to apply between now and July. Click here to claim a Household Support Fund payment. Can those who live outside Doncaster claim support? Yes, councils throughout the country are actively assisting families through the Household Support Fund scheme. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is giving thousands of families a helping hand - offering free washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 towards the cost of energy. Households in Redcar & Cleveland can get support worth up to £230. Those in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. By using the government's council locator tool, it's easy to find out which local authorities are offering support and the eligibility criteria. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £742million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended. The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit have days left to apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible
THOUSANDS of families on Universal Credit can claim up to £300 this month. This leg-up comes from the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) - a huge £742 million fund going straight to councils across England. 2 The HSF is a government-backed scheme designed to help vulnerable households with essentials like food, energy bills and other living costs. Each local council is given the freedom to decide how to distribute the money, making sure it directly helps the people who need it most in their area. City of Doncaster Council is distributing a one‑off cash payment through HSF. Those typically eligible for this support are already receiving one of the following: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit which includes the housing element Means-tested free school meals Households on Universal Credit can receive food vouchers worth £100 if they have one dependent child. Those with two children will pick up £200, while households with three or more children will be given £300 to help cover food costs. City of Doncaster Council defines a dependent child as one for whom you receive Child Benefit. Besides families with children, other eligible households - including those without children - can receive £100 to help cover energy bills. The council is also allocating £150,000 towards local food banks and its hygiene bank. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now An additional £100,000 will boost community hubs, helping vulnerable households right in the community. Meanwhile, a huge £400,000 is now earmarked for the updated Local Assistance Scheme. How can people get the payment? Those who have received help from the Household Support Fund in the past - and still meet the criteria - will not need to apply. Instead, the payment will automatically hit their bank accounts. But they will need to contact the council if their bank details have changed. Those previously paid by cheque will receive the payment by cheque - unless they provide the council with their bank details. Others will need to apply between now and July. Click here to claim a Household Support Fund payment. Can those who live outside Doncaster claim support? Yes, councils throughout the country are actively assisting families through the Household Support Fund scheme. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is giving thousands of families a helping hand - offering free washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 towards the cost of energy. Those in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. By using the government's council locator tool, it's easy to find out which local authorities are offering support and the eligibility criteria. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £742million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended. The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026. 2
