Latest news with #EalingCouncil


BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ealing tenants experience steepest rise in London rent
Private tenants in Ealing have faced the largest rent increases in London over the past five years, new figures rental index report by HomeLet suggested rents in the borough rose by about 52.5% between December 2019 and December average rent in Ealing is now £2,089 per calendar month, according to the was just above the London average of £2,071, and significantly more than the UK average of £1,284. During 2024 alone, private rents in Ealing rose by 9.3%, the fourth-highest in London. The data also suggested Londoners spent the highest proportion of their income on rent of any region in the UK at 37.9%, with the average being 32.6% - indicating the higher wages paid in the capital did not counter the increase in response, Ealing Council said very few properties are affordable to residents, and warned that those on low-to-average incomes were being priced has 7,500 applications on its housing register, with 200 to 250 new applications each applicants have been placed hundreds of miles away from London by the council, with one family placed in Newcastle in March 2024. A spokesperson for Ealing Council attributed the steep increase to factors including a lack of supply as landlords leave the market."Ealing-specific factors" included an more new purpose-built private sector homes and improved transport Elizabeth line opened in 2022 with two stations serving Ealing, and is now the busiest railway service in the council said it cannot control private market rents, but uses regulatory powers to ensure good quality homes and tries to prevent the conversion of homes into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). The leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Ealing Council, Gary Malcolm, blamed the Labour-run administration for being "too soft on developers".He said the council "allowed developers to rule the roost" and that developers often build large buildings, with too few truly affordable homes.


Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Evening Standard
Revealed: The surprising London borough with the biggest rent rise in the past five years
He said: 'Liberal Democrats say that the Labour-run Ealing Council has allowed developers to rule the roost in Ealing. Developers often build large buildings, with too few truly affordable homes, whilst they are not building the homes they promise, meaning that we have too few homes, so rents are being pushed up.


Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Supermarket vouchers worth up to £180 landing on doormats NOW for summer – are you getting one?
Families with children on free school meals are eligible HELPING HAND Supermarket vouchers worth up to £180 landing on doormats NOW for summer – are you getting one? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of households need to look out for supermarket vouchers landing on doormats worth up to £180. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures for June confirmed food prices have soared in the last 12 months. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cropped shot of a woman holding a basket while shopping at a grocery store Credit: Getty But there are ways to drive down the cost of your weekly shop, starting with help through the Household Support Fund (HSF). The £742million fund has been shared between councils in England who then decide how to allocate their share. Some are directing cash payments to residents in need while others are distributing supermarket vouchers to cover the summer holidays. We've rounded up what some local authorities are offering below. We won't have covered all the councils offering help, so if your local authority isn't included it's worth checking with it to see what you are eligible for. Most councils have pages on their websites dedicated to the Household Support Fund where you'll find details on who is eligible and what you're in line for. You can find what local council area you fall under by visiting That said, below are some of the councils offering qualifying households supermarket vouchers. Bracknell Forest Council Schools in Bracknell are automatically distributing supermarket vouchers to children registered for free school meals. These vouchers have been paid for through Bracknell Forest Council's allotment of the Household Support Fund. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now The council has not confirmed how much the vouchers are worth. Wakefield Metropolitan District Counci Wakefield Metropolitan District Council is issuing supermarket vouchers worth £50 to families receiving council tax support. The vouchers are being issued via letters on July 21 and take up to seven days to arrive. Full instructions on how to redeem the vouchers will be included in the letters. Once the voucher has been redeemed, it doesn't have to be used all at once and can be used several times until it is spent. Nottingham City Council Nottingham City Council is distributing £75 supermarket vouchers to households each month until March 2026. There is a limit on the number of vouchers being shared each month meaning you have to act fast to claim one. Applications for this month's vouchers opened on July 7 so may all have been allocated for July. Nottingham City Council has said the dates applications for vouchers will open between August and next March will be confirmed "later in July". Ealing Council Ealing Council is giving supermarket vouchers worth £90 to families with children on benefits-related free school meals this month. The vouchers are worth £90 per child meaning you could get £180 if you have two kids. You don't need to apply for the vouchers as they are being sent automatically to emails or as letters. The council's partner, Blackhawk, is issuing a 16-digit personalised code and instructions on how to redeem the vouchers on the Blackhawk website - Devon County Council Devon County Council has issued supermarket vouchers worth more than £90 to 22,000 families with children on free school meals. The £90 is equivalent to £15 per week for the six week school holiday. The council has said the vouchers can be redeemed in major supermarkets but hasn't said which ones. Portsmouth City Council Portsmouth City Council is issuing £50 supermarket vouchers to children on benefits-related free school meals. You might also be eligible if your child is not on free school meals and you're on a low income, and can apply for the vouchers from the end of the school term. You can also forward your email address to the council and will be contacted when the application window opens. More details can be found via Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council Families on free school meals are eligible for supermarket food vouchers being distributed by schools in the area. You do not need to apply as they are being issued automatically. Food vouchers may also be available for children under five years if certain criteria is met. To receive a voucher, children must be living in Bournemouth, Christchurch, or Poole and meet one of the following criteria: currently claiming 2 year old early education funding at an early years setting in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole during the term currently claiming Early Years Pupil Premium funding for 3 and 4 year olds at an early years setting in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole during the term (this is different to the early education funding available to all 3 and 4 year olds) currently have an open case with a social worker or Early Help family support worker and are of pre-school age Food vouchers for this group of families have to be applied for, with more details on the BCP Council website. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. 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 £421million 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. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories


BBC News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ealing could face legal action over children's centres closures
A west London council could be taken to court over plans to close 10 of its 25 children's Council said despite increased demand for statutory children's services, "not all families who could benefit" are using the Claire Welsby, a campaigner for Save Ealing's Children Centre's, said it is considering a judicial review of the opposition councillors claimed Ealing's decision was "deeply flawed". Ms Welsby said: "Obviously there is a big financial implication about that [seeking a judicial review], and we need to seek advice."There are lots of things we would look at and we would focus on the process. "But also, we will continue to hold them to account, through freedom of information requests, continuing to go to public meetings, and continuing to hold protests."An Ealing Council spokesperson said the current set up "is not working".The Labour-run council said it aims to "design a service more tailored to our families' needs and move services into the community to better reach those who may need our help, while retaining the largest number of children's centres in London".The leader of the opposition on Ealing Council, Lib Dem councillor Gary Malcolm, said this is "another example of Ealing Labour holding a consultation, ignoring the results and then axing vital services".He added: "The closures will result in worse outcomes for the vulnerable children and families across the borough and reduced accessibility."They are closing the children's centres before they have thought about what they will have in place."


The Sun
29-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Low income households to get £180 cost of living vouchers within days – check if you qualify
LOW income households are in line to receive cost of living vouchers worth up to £180 within days. The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £742million pot of money that's been shared between councils in England. Local authorities are distributing their share of the fund, which runs until March 2026, to households in need. In most cases, this is residents who are on benefits, low incomes or classed as vulnerable. Ealing Council, in London, has been given £4.7million out of the £742million pot and is issuing supermarket vouchers to families with children on benefits-related free school meals. Households with children under the age of five receiving housing benefit or council tax support are also eligible for vouchers. Vouchers are being issued in July, October and December this year, as well as February and March 2026. The vouchers being given to families with children on benefits-related free school meals in July are worth £90 per child, meaning households with two eligible children will receive £180. If you live in Ealing, you don't need to apply for the vouchers as they will be sent to you via email or letter. The council's partner, Blackhawk, is issuing a 16-digit, personalised code and instructions on how to redeem the vouchers on the Blackhawk website - If your child goes to a school outside the borough of Ealing, you will need to apply for the vouchers. Details on how to do that can be found via Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Can I get help if I live outside Ealing? Whether you can get help via the Household Support Fund depends on where you live. This is because each council sets it own eligibility criteria. However, the Household Support Fund, which was first established in 2021, is designed to help those on low incomes, benefits or classed as vulnerable. So, if you fit into any of these three categories, the chances are you will be eligible for support. The best thing to do is visit your local council's website where most have a page dedicated to the Household Support Fund. Or, you can contact your local council's customer service helpline to inquire. The latest round of Household Support Fund runs until March 31, 2026, and some councils have already opened up for applications. Households in Birmingham are being urged to apply for £200 payments. Meanwhile, low income households in North Northamptonshire can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320. Other help if you're on a low income It's worth checking if you're eligible for benefits if you haven't already - it could boost your bank balance by thousands of pounds a year. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. If you're struggling with the cost of food, check where your nearest food bank is, to help you get cupboard staples for less. The Trussell Trust has hundreds of food banks across the UK, and you can find your nearest one here - Meanwhile, if you have fallen behind on your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to wipe any debt. British Gas and Octopus Energy, the UK's two biggest energy firms, both run schemes offering customers grants worth up to £2,000. You might be able to apply for a free grant through a local charity as well. Charity Turn2Us has a free-to-use grants search tool on its website which you can find here -