Energy vouchers and warm clothes are being distributed to residents as Reading prepares for an ‘extremely worrying winter’.

Soaring inflation, spiralling energy bills and low wage growth are set to plunge people back into “the 19th century,” according to the leader of Reading Borough Council.

The council is redirecting £82,000 it saved in Covid funding towards food and clothing support groups and handing out £49 energy coupons to vulnerable families.

"It continues to be an extremely worrying time for families and individuals across Reading, with winter around the corner and absolutely no sign of the cost of heating homes or food coming down anytime soon,” said Jason Brock, council leader.

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 “It is almost inconceivable that in 2022 we are talking about the need to help provide warm winter clothing and food to desperate families and individuals. It seems to me a policy more suited for the 19th century than the 21st,  but in some cases this is the harsh reality when wages are very far from keeping up with soaring rates of inflation.”

The £49 vouchers will be available for families with school aged children eligible for Pupil Premium free school meals, vulnerable children up to nursery age and care leavers.

The vouchers are limited to one per family / care leaver and the Council has contacted eligible residents directly with them.

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The remaining Department of Work and Pensions funding will be allocated as follows:

  • Readifood inc Norcot Pantry (£20,000)
  • Whitley Community Development Association (£7,500)
  • Weller Centre (£7,500)
  • New Beginnings (£7,500)
  • CIRDIC (£5,000)
  • Sadaka (£5,000)
  • New Beginnings (£3,000)
  • Whitley Community Development Association (£3,000)
  • Weller Centre (£3,000)
  • First Days (£3,000)
  • Sadaka (£3,000)

A £10,000 grant will go to The Cowshed for Winter clothing and warmth support (including for carers, people with disabilities and the homeless) and a £5,000 grant will be awarded to Reading Refugee Support Group for winter clothing and food support for refugees.

“The Council has made full use of an underspend in its Household Support Fund Scheme to once again distribute energy vouchers to those that need them the most in our town.  We are working on the details for the next phase of the Household Support Fund, which will enable us to continue supporting families in Reading through the coming winter. We will announce details of that scheme as soon as we are able.