Almost 3,000 York households - including about 450 in one ward - face a winter of crisis due to not being able to afford basic necessities, the council’s finance spokesperson has said.
A total of 2,992 York households including 1,909 children were in relative poverty as of the latest count in May, according to City of York Council figures.
The proportion of those whose income is £700 or more less than the poverty line grew by six per cent during the same period.
Council finance executive member Cllr Katie Lomas said it showed that more and more people were unable to afford the bare minimum as winter approaches.
It comes as figures in a council report showed that almost one in four households were in relative poverty in May, 22.2 per cent, and earned at least £700 less than the poverty line.
The poverty line is at 60 per cent of an average household income of £1,615-a-month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The average shortfall of all households in relative poverty rose from £398 to £464 from April to May.
The amount claiming Universal Credit or Job Seekers Allowance in York was 2,425 in March, about 1.8 per cent of the working age population and up from 2,215 the previous year.
It compares to a regional figure of 4.3 per cent and 3.9 per cent across the UK.
Council figures showed around 450 of the 2,992 households in relative poverty as of May were in Westfield ward, in the west of the city.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Rachael Maskell 'sceptical' of Martin Lewis Winter Fuel plan
- Winter fuel payment rethink call backed by York councillors
Guildhall ward, which covers much of the city centre and surrounding areas including Foss Island and The Groves, had the second highest amount with around 300.
It was followed by Heworth ward, which includes the Tang Hall area, which had almost 300 households in relative poverty, while Holgate ward west of York Station had around 240.
Micklegate ward, which includes the South Bank area, had just over 200 households in relative poverty.
Almost all households in relative poverty in York, around 1,490, were in five of the city’s 21 council wards.
It comes as the average amount paid under the council’s York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) rose from £499 in the 2022-3 financial year to £635 in 2023-4.
The council’s report stated the increase was due to the significant increase in the cost of white goods and other items and the level of need of applications.
Applications fell from 1,455 to 1,223 due to alternative help being available, but YFAS spending was capped at £20,000-a-month and resettlement grants were limited to £500-per-household-per-year in July.
The decision followed forecasts which estimated that the amount spent in 2024-5 would be more than double its original budget, or 235 per cent.
Work has continued to support York’s Community Hubs which brings together volunteers and groups helping people with the cost of living.
The council’s report stated organisations that want to run Warm Hubs for people struggling to afford heating this winter have been directed to local councillors’ ward budgets for financial support.
It added that the council is awaiting further details on the latest round of the Government’s Household Support Fund, which was previously used to finance the Hubs, following its extension.
The latest Household Support Fund round opening in October after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed its extension for a further six months.
The sixth round is set to see £421 million given to councils across England to provide aid to those struggling to afford food, energy and other necessities.
But it also follows the Government’s decision to end universal Winter Fuel Payments, leading to concerns over the impact on pensioners.
The council has begun writing to those eligible to encourage them to apply for Pension Credit, an estimated £1.3m of which is going unclaimed in York.
Labour council finance spokesperson Cllr Lomas said that while they were relieved that the Household Support Fund had been extended, many would continue to struggle.
The executive member said: “Over the last year there’s been an assumption that everything’s OK now because coronavirus has gone and inflation’s down, but prices are still rising and people’s income isn’t increasing at the same time.
“More and more people can’t afford the basics, we’re facing a winter of crisis and we need to offer something to those in need.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel