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Extra Support for Preston Residents

As the cost of living crisis continues, a new set of support measures worth over 拢800,000 is being proposed by Preston City Council to help those on the lowest incomes, while also offering universal benefits like free swimming for children and older people.

If approved at the October Council meeting, these plans will be rolled out over the rest of the financial year. The Council aim to build on the support already available through local partnerships and community initiatives across Preston.

Funding for these additional measures would come from general revenue reserves.

Support already in place includes:

• A 100% council tax support scheme
• Household Support Fund
• Holiday Activities Fund
• Cosy Homes
• Clever Money Credit Union

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said:

"The cost of living crisis is still very much with us. Many households are still struggling to pay for daily basic things like food, energy bills and rent and are dropping below the poverty line which is unacceptable.

Whilst we are working hard to elevate household incomes through initiatives like our and investment and support through skills, training and promoting a more democratic and fair economy, the most financially challenged households still need immediate help with meeting basic living costs.

These proposals go some way to help more of our residents as we face the colder winter months.

The city's commitment to can be evidenced through these measures to tackle a wide range of socio-economic challenges and inequalities in our Preston wards to create a healthier, more inclusive city.

Critically, it's important we work closely with our anchor partners and communities to bring about effective, long lasting change and a stronger, fairer economy that everyone benefits from." 

What's New?

Here's a summary of the extra support being proposed:

• Free swimming for young people, pensioners, and those on low incomes
• Full council tax benefit for the terminally ill - helping households facing a terminal diagnosis worry less about bills
• One-off Christmas payments for families affected by the benefit cap, with payments of 拢50, 拢100, 拢300 or 拢400 available between November 2025 and March 2026
• Food and fuel support for low-income pensioners - 拢80,000 added to the Household Support Fund, with payments of up to 拢100
• Food and fuel support for low-income young people and unpaid carers - additional HSF funding for payments of up to 拢100 per household to help with essentials like transport, food, housing and clothing
• Food bank and community pantry support - 拢45,000 for food access and 拢20,000 for essential household goods and furniture
• Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) - 拢100,000 top-up to reduce waiting times and help lower-income households afford home adaptations
• Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) - 拢100,000 to support families at risk of homelessness
• Community grants - 拢100,000 to fund grassroots projects tackling poverty and building resilience in Preston's most deprived areas
• Research into long-term solutions - exploring ways to address child poverty, economic inactivity, and opportunities for financial independence

Further options for continued support in 2026/27 are being explored, with proposals expected early next year if additional funding becomes available.