Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council is set to deliver a major new package of support for residents facing financial hardship, backed by £16.8 million in government funding.
The Crisis Resilience Fund, which will run until March 2029, aims to help households cope with sudden financial shocks while investing in longer‑term support to prevent people from falling into crisis. The fund will provide £5.6 million per year to support residents struggling with essential living costs, including:
- Food and household essentials
- Energy bills
- Housing costs
- Transport
This funding will enable the council to continue delivering rapid crisis payments, ensuring help reaches those in urgent need quickly and effectively.
Alongside emergency payments, the fund will provide additional support for people facing housing cost shortfalls, helping to prevent eviction and homelessness.
The aim is to offer residents timely assistance so that short‑term financial pressures do not escalate into longer‑term crises.
A key feature of the programme is its focus on prevention and resilience, ensuring that residents receive ongoing support to improve their financial wellbeing.
Funding will be used to expand services that help people:
- Build budgeting and money management skills
- Maximise income and access available benefits
- Improve digital access and confidence
- Connect with local support networks
These services aim to empower residents to regain financial stability and reduce reliance on emergency support in the future.
The council will work closely with trusted local partners, including community organisations and voluntary sector groups, to deliver the fund.
This collaborative approach is designed to ensure support is:
- Delivered quickly and locally
- Tailored to community needs
- Accessible to those most at risk
By strengthening local networks, the programme aims to provide more holistic and accessible support for residents.
The council will act as the accountable body for the funding, overseeing how it is distributed and ensuring it delivers maximum benefit.
A dedicated governance framework will:
- Monitor how funds are used
- Ensure strong safeguards for public money
- Track outcomes and impact for residents
Regular reporting to both the council’s Cabinet and central government will provide transparency and accountability.
The Crisis Resilience Fund reflects a broader strategy to address the underlying causes of financial instability, not just the immediate effects.
By combining emergency support with preventative services, the council aims to:
- Reduce long‑term demand for crisis assistance
- Strengthen household resilience
- Improve overall wellbeing across communities
With funding secured until 2029, the programme provides a stable, multi‑year framework for supporting residents through challenging economic conditions.
The council says the investment demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that people can access help when they need it, communities are supported to recover and thrive, and long‑term resilience is built across the city.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Anti-Poverty and Corporate Services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Cllr Sarah Hill, 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 launch of the Crisis Resilience Fund comes at a time when many households are facing ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures.
By combining immediate assistance with long‑term support, Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council aims to ensure residents are better equipped to manage financial shocks and improve their prospects.
Image credit: iStock
