At a meeting tonight, our Cabinet will consider a cost-of-living action plan for the next two years – outlining the council’s long-term approach to supporting Merton residents as costs continue to rise for essential living expenses.

The Cost-of-Living Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2025 – A cross-council boroughwide approach to supporting people living in Merton builds on our work to date under the £2 million Cost-of-Living Support Fund, and sets out measures to continue supporting those most impacted at this challenging time.

The Cost-of-Living Support Fund was established in July 2022 after the Council declared a cost-of-living emergency, one of the first in the country to do so. Since then, the funding is being used to provide residents a wide range of advice and support. 

The two-year plan aims to ensure we are responding to the cost-of-living emergency in the most effective and collaborative way possible, and by identifying and responding to the real needs of our residents.

We plan to do this both directly and through our network of trusted local partners with advice and practical support. By funding organisations in the community and voluntary sectors, residents can access specialist support more readily.

The action plan focuses on five themes to meet short to long-term needs. From food insecurity, energy efficiency and homes, and finance, benefits and debt to jobs and skills, and the next generation. It aims to have currency for as long as the cost-of-living emergency continues.  

The action plan follows on from the council’s Cost-of-Living Budget where more than £22 million is being invested into providing support to residents.

The budget included a council tax discount for those living in Band A-D homes, reducing their rise from the 5% required by Government to 4% locally. It also includes £11 million to fund the highest available level of Council Tax Support, and £8 million over four years to ensure frontline worker across the borough will be paid the London Living Wage.

Anyone who is concerned about their finances can visit our cost-of-living webpage, which contains information on a wide range of issues, from food support and benefits to housing, energy efficiency, and much more: http://www.merton.gov.uk/costofliving.