Latest news with #NorthNorthamptonshire
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two new 'one-stop shop' family hubs open
Two new council-run family hubs have been opened, offering services including parenting advice, child development clinics and youth support. North Northamptonshire Council held events to open the hubs at Glapthorn Road, Oundle and Newton Road, Rushden. They act as "one-stop shops" for families, with the aim of giving children the best start in life and supporting parents and carers, the Reform UK-run council said. Council leader Martin Griffiths said: "The last few years have been a tough time for young people and families and we have to do whatever we can to support them." He added: "I'm very proud of our expanding family hubs network and I'm delighted to see the great work that is happening right at the heart of our communities." The council opened its first family hub in Towcester and plans to open a fourth by the end of the year. Elizabeth Wright, executive member for children, families, education and skills, said they are "friendly and safe spaces for babies, children, young people and their parents or carers to go when they need help and support". Family hubs date to the early 2000s, when New Labour introduced Sure Start centres - focused on supporting young families with early education, childcare and health advice. Many closed after 2010 when funding was cut by the Tories, but in 2024 the Conservative government under Rishi Sunak rolled out 400 new "family hubs" across 75 local authorities. The Labour government recently announced plans to expand the network to up to 1,000 by the end of 2028. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Food voucher scheme 'paused' due to high demand Family hubs to open in every council in England Councils commit £1.5m to domestic abuse service Related internet links North Northamptonshire Council
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'One-stop shop' family hubs open in Rushden and Oundle
Two new council-run family hubs have been opened, offering services including parenting advice, child development clinics and youth Northamptonshire Council held events to open the hubs at Glapthorn Road, Oundle and Newton Road, Rushden. They act as "one-stop shops" for families, with the aim of giving children the best start in life and supporting parents and carers, the Reform UK-run council leader Martin Griffiths said: "The last few years have been a tough time for young people and families and we have to do whatever we can to support them." He added: "I'm very proud of our expanding family hubs network and I'm delighted to see the great work that is happening right at the heart of our communities." The council opened its first family hub in Towcester and plans to open a fourth by the end of the Wright, executive member for children, families, education and skills, said they are "friendly and safe spaces for babies, children, young people and their parents or carers to go when they need help and support".Family hubs date to the early 2000s, when New Labour introduced Sure Start centres - focused on supporting young families with early education, childcare and health closed after 2010 when funding was cut by the Tories, but in 2024 the Conservative government under Rishi Sunak rolled out 400 new "family hubs" across 75 local Labour government recently announced plans to expand the network to up to 1,000 by the end of 2028. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Households on Universal Credit can claim £300 cash this summer holiday – will you get a boost?
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can claim up to £300 in cash this summer. Hard-up families can claim support through the government's Household Support Fund. 1 The scheme has been extended multiple times, with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council has a share of £742million which it can dole out to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies but help is usually offered to those on low income or claiming benefits. Households in Doncaster can apply for cost of living cash worth up to £300 to help with a supermarket shop. You must have dependent children to qualify for the support. A dependant child is a child for whom you receive Child Benefit. For example, if you have one dependent child you will receive £100. This rises to £200 if you are a household with two dependent children. If you have three or more kids the amount you receive is £300. To be eligible for the support you must be claiming Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, means tested free school meals or council tax reductions. Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now If you previously applied for the support, a payment will be made to the bank account using information you previously provided. If you have not submitted an application before you can do so online by visiting, Elsewhere, residents of North Northamptonshire can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320 on August 4. A person who lives alone will be given a voucher worth £150. Meanwhile, a house with two residents could receive £260 for their food shop. If you live in a home with three residents or more you will receive a voucher worth £320. Does every council offer support? The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in this area but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. For example, residents in Worcestershire can apply for support worth up to £500 to help with water and energy costs. Devon County Council has also 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. Households in Redcar & Cleveland can also now apply for support worth up to £230. 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.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Food vouchers for North Northamptonshire paused due to demand
One-off supermarket vouchers have been paused by a council due to a high demand in Northamptonshire Council said they had paused new applications for a three- week period due to a large number of people applying since 23 families, pensioners, and people with disabilities were able to apply, with the amount dependent on the size of the household. Gregory Wilcox, Reform UK councillor and executive member for communities at the authority, said: "The Household Support Fund (HSF) applications are currently paused due to high demand and to enable our staff to work through the existing waiting list." The vouchers were funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and were available due to the seventh tranche of the HSF.A single person could apply for a £150 voucher, a two-person household £260 and a household with three people or more £320. It comes as prices rose by more than expected in the year to June, pushing inflation to 3.6% in UK, the highest it has been since January prices for food and clothing, air and rail fares - and a lower drop in fuel prices than this time last year - contributed to higher inflation, official figures Wilcox added: "This means new applications may not be accepted immediately while the authority processes existing requests and manage their allocated funds."The authority said residents who had applied for the "wider essentials support" since 23 June did not need to apply Northamptonshire Council said applications were expected to take two months to process and would be dealt with in order of the date they were were due to re-open on 4 August. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
North Northants Council warning over graffiti and litter fines
Residents have been issued a fresh warning over fines for offences such as fly-tipping, littering and Northamptonshire Council said rules, which came into effect at the end of 2024, allowed for penalties of up to £500 for littering, flyposting or graffiti, and up to £1,000 for came as Northamptonshire Police held a week of events to raise awareness and encourage the reporting of anti-social Harrington from the Reform UK-led local authority said: "Fly-tipping is something that comes up time and time again when speaking to residents. We remain committed to catching and prosecuting individuals caught fly-tipping." The council also warned that using unregistered waste carriers could result in fines, even if the resident was unaware that the carrier was operating added: "Higher fines like these, hopefully, act as deterrents and are part of a wider package of measures that our team can use to help keep North Northamptonshire clean and tidy."Last month, charity Crimestoppers began a four-week "zero-tolerance approach" to graffiti in Northampton. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
