- CPRE Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

CPRE recognises the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on those living in the countryside. From soaring energy bills to a dearth of affordable housing, our rural communities are at the sharp end of a wider economic crisis that is having a disproportional impact on them. CPRE has joined the ‘Warm This Winter’ coalition calling for urgent action from the government, otherwise millions - particularly in rural areas - will be unable to pay their bills and heat their homes.

Government funded Cost of Living support

Here is the latest information from GOV.UK regarding cost of living support. The Help for Households website may also be helpful.

If you need help with the cost of living, these resources may be helpful.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Government has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested in England and Wales, which will have an impact on many pensioners. Those living in the countryside often find that the cost of fuel – oil, bottled gas coal or smokeless fuel - is expensive and the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment will have a detrimental impact on the ability to keep themselves and their homes warm. The following resources may be helpful:

AGEUK can give you advice on how to check your eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment, how to apply, and how to check if you are entitled to other benefits. The site also includes information about staying well and warm in winter.

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment of £150 to help with the cost of energy during the winter.

Which has information and advice regarding how to get help with energy bills.

On this page you’ll also find information about cost of living support, energy saving advice and support with paying energy bills, support offered by your local authority, and warm spaces and support hubs.

Financial support, help with debt, grants and benefits: Your bank or building society may be able to offer support: this article explains the actions banks are taking and will be updated as more information is available. Turn2Us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially, by helping people access benefits, charitable grants and other support. The Money Advice Trust is a national charity, helping people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money with confidence. StepChange Debt Charity offers free, confidential and expert debt advice and money guidance. Help with calculating benefits can be found at Age UK and Citizens Advice.

Energy saving advice and support with paying energy bills: The Energy Saving Trust offers advice on how to reduce fuel bills. The NEA Action for Warm Homes and the Centre for Sustainable Energy offer advice if you are struggling with your energy bills. Citizens Advice can advise on grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills. The Money Saving Boiler Challenge offers a step-by-step guide to turning down your boiler to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service Plus (CHESS+), a project being delivered by environmental charity PECT in partnership with Cambridgeshire ACRE, is supporting residents in the districts of Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge City with free energy advice and support. If you would like to find out more about the service and discuss your situation, you can freephone on 0800 8021773 or email energyadvice@pect.org.uk.

Action on Energy Cambridgeshire is a partnership between Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. They provide communities with advice on how to maximise the energy efficiency of their homes, save money on their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions. Advice includes information on the energy efficiency measures available, practical guidance, funding opportunities and support to find an installer. Action On Energy has been awarded funding under the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) scheme, a government-backed scheme running from April 2023 to March 2025 to provide energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heating for low-income households.

Food: The Trussell Trust and the Independent Food Aid Network can help you find a food bank near to you. Love Food Hate Waste offer advice on how to reduce food waste. Fareshare gives details of organisations offering food support to individuals and families. The BHF offers advice on eating healthily on a budget, and Cooking on a Bootstrapoffers a range of low-budget recipes. FoodCycle offers free meals in Cambridge and Peterborough.

For general information and support try Citizens Advice.

Grants for individuals and families

The Royal British Legion has a Cost of Living Grants Programme. This is designed to allow them to assist people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs. For further details and to check eligibility go to https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/financial-and-employment-support/finance/grants/cost-of-living-grants

Warm Spaces

Many warm spaces have been set up in community centres, libraries, places of worship and other public buildings in Cambridgeshire. In Peterborough, Cost of Living Support Hubs can offer help.

Support where you live

District Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can also offer support. Please visit your local District Council for more information.

Cambridgeshire County Council

Cambridge City Council

East Cambridgeshire District Council

Fenland District Council

Huntingdonshire District Council

Peterborough City Council

Hay Peterborough https://www.haypeterborough.co.uk/support/ brings together a range of support services in Peterborough, including debt and money advice, winter support hubs and food aid.

Healthwatch Peterborough details support available in Peterborough to help residents maintain their health such as diet, mental health issues and NHS/prescription costs.

South Cambridgeshire District Council

The South Cambs emergency food leaflet shows a map of different types of foodbanks or food hubs in the area with opening hours and information about how to access support.

Rural Homelessness

CPRE has joined a coalition of around 20 organisations, including English Rural, the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Rural Services Network in a pioneering initiative, Rural Homelessness Counts, aimed at tackling the hidden crisis of rural homelessness.

High house prices, a shortage of affordable homes to buy and rent and rising levels of second home ownership and holiday lets, has led to an increase in rural homelessness; a problem which is largely hidden and overlooked.

The coalition aims to make a significant impact on rural homelessness and help rural communities to thrive by:

Raising awareness of rural homelessness
Tackling rural homelessness by developing and advocating for solutions
Encouraging evidence-based best practices in rural communities
Fostering partnerships with stakeholders such as local authorities and housing associations, to address the unique challenges of rural homelessness

CPRE’s groundbreaking report shows a chronic increase in rural homelessness. To read more go to https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/groundbreaking-report-shows-chronic-increase-in-rural-homelessness/, and read the full report here https://englishrural.org.uk/rural-homelessness-counts/. Latest analysis shows that rough sleeping in the countryside is higher than in some urban areas. Our recent report ‘Unraveling a crisis: the state of rural affordable housing in England’ explores the causes of the problem, lays bare its impact on real people and explains what the government can do to fix it.

Want to help?

Please consider signing the Warm this Winter petition which urges the government to support those experiencing fuel poverty. You might also want to make a donation to one of the organisations listed above, or look on Facebook, Twitter or Go Fund Me for initiatives where you live that need support.