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The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Households on benefits urged to apply for £200 free cash NOW – but you need to be quick
HOUSEHOLDS on benefits will now be able to apply for £200 payments for free, until funding is exhausted. It comes as part of the Household Support Fund that is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The scheme launched yesterday, and will be open for application until March next year. It comes through a fixed amount of money that is available to the Local Authority to help support the households most in need. Each council in England has been allocated a share of £742 million from the fund. This is Round 7 of The Household Support Fund scheme in Birmingham, which has been extended multiple times. Eligible households in Birmingham that are facing hardship will be able to access the grants for essential costs like groceries, energy bills, water, and basic supplies. This Hardship Grant Community Fund is completely free to apply to, with no fees, text requests or bank details involved. Receiving a grant from the fund will also not impact any other benefits households may be additionally receiving or be entitled to. Those who have already submitted a successful enquiry into the scheme may have been added to the Waiting List, who can expect a call from the local area within the next 3-4 weeks. The grants will be distributed by the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), and can include up to £200 in funds aimed at helping households with food and energy costs. Applications for the payment can be made by completing the enquiry form online, and answering questions to determine suitability to a grant. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now Completing the enquiry form does not guarantee a grant, and eligibility will be checked. To be eligible for the grant: You must be a Birmingham Resident You must be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with regards to covering costs linked to food and energy Your household must not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months Those applying may be required to provide proof of address and means-tested benefits. 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 £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. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible. What if you don't live in Birmingham? The £742million Household Support Fund has been allocated to councils across England to help residents facing financial hardship. You do not need to live in Reading to apply. If you're on a low income, receiving benefits, or struggling to afford essentials, you may be eligible for support. The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills. Applications are handled by local councils. Some have already opened their schemes, while others are expected to launch soon. Residents are advised to check their local council's website or social media for updates. Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply. In some cases, councils may contact eligible households directly by post.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Harlequin Theatre to stay closed until 2027 over RAAC issue
A Surrey theatre is expected to stay closed for at least another two years, a council has announced. Redhill's Harlequin Theatre suddenly closed in 2023 after it was found to be riddled with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which can pose safety risks. The future of the theatre, cinema and community space has hung in the balance ever Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has said it expects the theatre to reopen in late spring 2027 if everything goes to plan. The local authority said it will set aside £4.5m to remove the RAAC from the theatre's roof. Senior councillors have said this move will eliminate the risk of it having to close again. Plans to modernise the building, which could have run alongside repair works as part of a previously announced £10m project, have been put on hold, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The council said it wants to consider whether it should hand over control to a private the meeting was told, would save the theatre from any future funding cuts. Councillor Ben Green, portfolio holder for finance and assets, said the local authority would "authorise work as soon as possible", though it "may not be able to make a decision that everyone is going to agree with". He added the "elephant in the room" was that "many people had been justifiably upset or angry with the council's delay in dealing with the RAAC issue"."There is no escaping that this matter is complicated to resolve," Mr Green added. The decision was broadly supported by opposition groups.
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Residents could finally get better access to train station that's bears village's name
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info While it bears the name of Dolgarrog - the Conwy Valley station has never really been particularly accessible to people in the village. The station is situated on the opposite side of the Afon Conwy from Dolgarrog with a rough and sometimes boggy track also in the way. This contributed to it serving just 612 passengers in 2017/18 - the lowest of any station in Wales that year. The situation was compounded in 2021 when the pipe bridge over the river closed to the public due to concerns over its condition. There were fears it would never reopen. But a campaign was launched, backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders and others, to get a crossing back. This eventually secured funding of £1.2m from Dwr Cymru and a £735,000 Welsh Government grant for Conwy County Borough Council to restore the bridge. This was reopened in 2023 and passenger numbers rose to just over 2,000 in 2023/24. But the paths from the village mean it's still not exactly a convenient option for locals or tourists wanting to use the Conwy Valley Line. Now though Conwy council has secured additional Welsh Government active travel funds for improvements to the existing Public Rights of Way, which connects Dolgarrog Railway Station to the B5106. The works are to be undertaken this financial year. The Local Authority is currently working on access agreements with interested landowners and will be aiming to undertake a public engagement exercise soon. Once the access agreements are in place, they will push forward with a procurement and construction phase programme. This would improve the path that emerges near the former Lord Newborough pub on the B5106. There are hopes that more money in the future could develop a link to Clark Street, which comes out in the centre of the village. MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Since the horrendous decision by Welsh Water to permanently close Dolgarrog Bridge, I have been pleased to lead the group of stakeholders who have succeeded to convince the water company to make a massive U-turn, and secure a £1.9m investment. 'As part of that stakeholder group it was a pleasure to work with representatives of both Dolgarrog Community Council and Conwy County Borough Council. By working together we have delivered for our community. "In fact, I have kept up the pressure and am delighted that funding has been secured to build an active travel route between Dolgarrog and the railway station this financial year. A special thanks goes to the Local Authority officials who submitted the application and are working on the plans going forward. 'Whilst my understanding is that this phase of the development will see the route reach Dolgarrog by the old Lord Newborough pub, there remains and ambition to develop a route along Clark Street in the future, but that would require further funding. 'The most import point of all is that the bridge, which following our united community campaign, Welsh Water has thankfully invested significantly in, will now have high standard accessible paths leading to it. This is excellent news." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
20-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Residents could finally get better access to train station that's bears village's name
While it bears the name of Dolgarrog - the Conwy Valley station has never really been particularly accessible to people in the village. The station is situated on the opposite side of the Afon Conwy from Dolgarrog with a rough and sometimes boggy track also in the way. This contributed to it serving just 612 passengers in 2017/18 - the lowest of any station in Wales that year. The situation was compounded in 2021 when the pipe bridge over the river closed to the public due to concerns over its condition. There were fears it would never reopen. But a campaign was launched, backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders and others, to get a crossing back. This eventually secured funding of £1.2m from Dwr Cymru and a £735,000 Welsh Government grant for Conwy County Borough Council to restore the bridge. This was reopened in 2023 and passenger numbers rose to just over 2,000 in 2023/24. But the paths from the village mean it's still not exactly a convenient option for locals or tourists wanting to use the Conwy Valley Line. Now though Conwy council has secured additional Welsh Government active travel funds for improvements to the existing Public Rights of Way, which connects Dolgarrog Railway Station to the B5106. The works are to be undertaken this financial year. The Local Authority is currently working on access agreements with interested landowners and will be aiming to undertake a public engagement exercise soon. Once the access agreements are in place, they will push forward with a procurement and construction phase programme. This would improve the path that emerges near the former Lord Newborough pub on the B5106. There are hopes that more money in the future could develop a link to Clark Street, which comes out in the centre of the village. MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Since the horrendous decision by Welsh Water to permanently close Dolgarrog Bridge, I have been pleased to lead the group of stakeholders who have succeeded to convince the water company to make a massive U-turn, and secure a £1.9m investment. 'As part of that stakeholder group it was a pleasure to work with representatives of both Dolgarrog Community Council and Conwy County Borough Council. By working together we have delivered for our community. "In fact, I have kept up the pressure and am delighted that funding has been secured to build an active travel route between Dolgarrog and the railway station this financial year. A special thanks goes to the Local Authority officials who submitted the application and are working on the plans going forward. 'Whilst my understanding is that this phase of the development will see the route reach Dolgarrog by the old Lord Newborough pub, there remains and ambition to develop a route along Clark Street in the future, but that would require further funding. 'The most import point of all is that the bridge, which following our united community campaign, Welsh Water has thankfully invested significantly in, will now have high standard accessible paths leading to it. This is excellent news."
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ice rink on Torbay Council's £350k shopping list
A Christmas ice rink is among the items on a shopping list from councillors after a local authority ended the financial year with a surplus of £350, Council's cabinet has drawn up a number of items which the authority could pay for after being told various departments had contributed to an underspend in the fourth quarter of the last financial highlighted by the cabinet included an ice rink for the Bay of Lights event run in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham at Christmas, surveying community centres, tackling weeds and investing in adult social list of projects is set to be reviewed in July by the full council before a decision on what to spend the money on is made. Other schemes highlighted by councillors to receive funding were a community-focused "blitz" to tidy and improve Torquay's Castle Circus area and money to encourage new start-up shops and businesses, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. 'Very exciting addition' Councillor Alan Tyerman said while the money was a "tiny proportion" of the overall budget, it showed very good financial control from the authority."For several years things have looked comfortable in Torbay's accounts, and long may it continue," the Conservative councillor for Churston with Galmpton Jackie Thomas, Conservative, Kings Ash, said an ice rink for the Bay of Lights project would be a "very exciting addition" to the event, which already featured a seafront illuminations trail and light show at Torre said "an ice rink would very considerably increase our winter wonderland experience and encourage more footfall".Councillor Darren Cowell welcomed the ideas and Torbay's "sound financial footing".However, the Independent member for Shiphay urged colleagues to look beyond town centres and seafronts to spend some of the money in other local communities.
