“We must support residents during these challenging times”
- An emergency summit to be held in October to discuss how residents can be supported
- Council seeks to lobby government with its neighbours and MPs to ensure Harrow residents get the support they need
A global cost of living emergency was declared at last week’s full council meeting. With soaring energy bills and food prices caused by the global pandemic and war in Ukraine – it is hitting home in Harrow, where thousands of residents are affected by the rising cost of living.
Councillors agreed that work needs to take place quickly to help residents reduce their costs. The council has already helped provide financial support to thousands of residents through the Covid Additional Relief Fund and Household Support Fund and through food and other support in partnership with London Community Kitchen and the wider voluntary and community sector in Harrow. Residents who are eligible have also been given the council tax rebate to help with energy bills.
New policies are also being introduced to help residents save money through an hour’s free on-street parking, free bulky waste collection and free school meals - and recently a motion was passed, and a letter sent to Sadiq Khan opposing the Mayor of London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expansion which would have a significant impact on the borough’s poorest motorists if rolled out in Harrow.
Cllr Paul Osborn, Leader of Harrow Council said:
“We must support residents during these challenging times. We are in a global cost of living emergency, and we must help residents as much as possible.
“My administration is already introducing measures to put residents first and help them reduce costs and in October I will be leading a cost of living emergency summit alongside our partners to look at what further support can be offered to our residents. I will also be lobbying the government to ensure Harrow residents get the support they need during these unprecedented times.
“The government has already given thousands of residents a £150 Council Tax rebate and the £400 discount to energy bills will happen this autumn. The government has also raised the National Insurance threshold from £9,500 to £12,570, a tax cut worth over £330 per year for 30 million working people.”
In October, the cost of living emergency summit will discuss how the council could further support residents and use its influence to create positive change. Further details about the summit will be available nearer the time.
The council is also currently working with all relevant stakeholders in Harrow to seek an increase in Covid additional relief fund and Household Support Fund.