Isle of Anglesey County Council is continuing to work on a multi-agency basis to help tackle the cost of living crisis.

Consumer price inflation rates reached an all-time high of 14.8% in the UK in late 2022.

This has had a real impact on the affordability of essential goods and services for households with the cost of many, including food, energy and fuel, increasing faster than household incomes.

As a result, the Welsh Government and UK Government have provided a number of cost of living payments to help support households it considers to be most in need.

The county council has already administered various cost-of-living payments to help support people experiencing financial hardship.

Its Executive has recently approved further funding schemes to help support individuals and families on Anglesey. They include:

• providing households that are in need with energy efficiency packs, e.g. electric blankets, electric shawls, energy efficient bulbs, thermals and flasks.
• funding to support the Island’s two food banks to help with the increased demand and continue with rural food deliveries.
• providing funding to the Samaritans which will help provide essential mental health support.
• expanding the funding previously agreed (under phase 1) to help with housing costs for people moving from temporary accommodation to provide grants to any household where a housing need has been identified (e.g. flooring costs, furniture costs, food and rent arrears).
• providing funding support to Anglesey residents who use essential electronic health equipment at home due to severe health conditions.
• providing discretionary support via an application process to Anglesey residents who use oil to heat their homes.

More information on cost of living support can be found here: https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/en/Residents/Benefits-and-grants/Cost-of-living-support.aspx 

We encourage Anglesey residents who require further support to contact the J E O’Toole Centre (01407 760 208 / otoole@ynysmon.llyw.cymru), the council’s Financial Inclusion Team (https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/en/Residents/Benefits-and-grants/Financial-inclusion.aspx) or CAB Ynys Môn (0808 278 7932).

Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi, is leading the authority’s response to the cost of living crisis. She explained, “This additional funding is welcomed and will support many individuals and families across the island.”

She added, “Everyone, including businesses and the county council, is facing growing pressures and uncertainty as a result of the cost of living crisis. It’s essential that we continue to help residents through these tough times and we will continue to provide as much guidance and support as we possibly can.”

Over the next few weeks, the county council will be launching a series of short videos to provide residents with information on the most suitable support agency that will provide support to help meet their needs.

Additionally, each household on Anglesey will receive a cost of living leaflet confirming which funding support requires an application and which support is provided through an automated approach by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Ends 20 February 2023

Note to editors

Further funding has already been allocated to the following:

Chronic health conditions – Anglesey Council are working in partnership with the local health board (BCUHB) in order to provide funding to residents facing significant and complex health issues.

Kidney Charity Wales - £10,000 has been allocated to provide support to residents that operate a home dialysis machine. The funding includes financial support to residents living with chronic kidney disease. Residents are encouraged to contact Kidney Care Wales for financial support: https://www.kidneywales.cymru/about-kidney-wales/contact-us/

Menter Môn – 10 community freezers will be purchased to store and provide nutritious food for local communities. This project is open to all Anglesey residents - more information will be available soon.

Anglesey Council foster carers – £300 funding towards fuel or food costs will be provided to Isle of Anglesey County Council foster carers on the island.

Housing need and homelessness – In the region of 260 households have been provided with housing need support. This covers food, fuel and flooring. Residents are referred by relevant agencies, such as Wallich, Flying Start and CMHT.

Christmas – Over 400 food vouchers were provided to residents requiring financial support over the festive period.

Food banks – both food banks have seen a substantial increase in demand on their integral services. The hardship fund will provide funding to cover two paid roles at both Anglesey food banks.

Warm spaces and free showers - Môn Actif are also offering warm spaces and free showers at their Leisure Centres in Amlwch, Menai Bridge, Holyhead and Llangefni). Period poverty packs are also available for people to collect at the leisure centres.

The idea behind the scheme is to give back to the community during these challenging times and recognises our Leisure Centres’ important role in the wellbeing of Anglesey residents.

Môn Actif hope to work on further similar projects that will help benefit local communities throughout the year.

For more information please visit your local leisure centre or contact: monactif@ynysmon.llyw.cymru

There is no need to book in advance and Môn Actif staff will treat individual requests in strict confidence.