Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to deliver a major new package of support for residents facing financial crisis - backed by £16.8 million of government funding.
The Crisis Resilience Fund will help households deal with sudden financial shocks while also investing in longer‑term support to prevent people falling into difficulty.
The fund, which runs until March 2029, will provide £5.6 million each year to support residents struggling with essential costs such as food, energy, housing and transport.
It will allow the council to continue offering crisis payments and housing support, while also expanding services that help people strengthen their finances and regain stability.
The fund will provide for timely and effective crisis payments based on need. It will also give support towards housing costs to those who face a shortfall.
Longer-term support will include funding for services to improve financial resilience - whether delivered by the council or partner organisations.
There will be money to provide advice, budgeting help, income maximisation, digital inclusion and stronger local support networks, helping people to recover and reducing the likelihood they will need crisis help again.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This funding will help us continue supporting residents through times of real financial hardship while also helping people build longer-term stability and resilience.
“We know many households are still under pressure from the rising cost of living. This fund means we can provide practical support when people need it most, while also investing in services that help residents improve their financial situation and reduce the risk of future crisis.
“By working closely with trusted local partners, we can make sure support reaches people quickly, fairly and in a way that delivers lasting benefits for our communities.”
The council will act as the accountable body for the funding, working with trusted local partners to deliver support quickly and fairly.
A dedicated governance and monitoring framework will ensure the funding is spent as intended, with strong safeguards to protect public money and maximise impact for residents.
There will be regular reporting to cabinet and to government on how the fund is being used and the difference it is making.
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