From rugby and museum trips to cookery lessons and camping, free activities are available for children across the county through Oxfordshire County Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme this summer.

Open to all children aged four to sixteen in receipt of free school meals, the programme offers up to sixteen sessions of enriching activities over the summer holidays.

Each session lasts at least four hours and includes at least 60 minutes of physical activity, practical advice on eating well, and a healthy meal.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “This programme provides free activities and meals for more than 18,000 children and young people in Oxfordshire who are eligible for free school meals and is something we have introduced in response to the closure of the national Holiday Free School Meal voucher scheme. It helps support children’s health and wellbeing while reducing holiday hunger and social isolation and is just another example of how we are working to tackle health inequalities across the county.

“By taking part in activities such as these, children can build confidence, try new things and stay engaged during the holidays, while they can also give families extra support and access to opportunities they might not otherwise have. Sign up now!”

Activities include sport, arts and crafts, museum visits, science, outdoor adventures, nature-based learning and cookery sessions.

Sessions are being delivered by local organisations in communities across Oxfordshire, with a wide range of options available to suit different ages and interests.

Families can find and book activities by visiting the HAF platform, where eligibility will be checked automatically against existing records. The website includes full details of the activities available in different areas of the county.

Anyone with questions about the programme can email HAF@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

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Single mum of three, Katie Gamble, cut her energy bills with help from Oxfordshire County Council and Welcome the Warmth. She is now encouraging others to check if they qualify.

The scheme is part of the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. It offers free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households to help reduce bills and improve energy efficiency. Measures include insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.

As Katie, who is 43, explains, “I have three teenagers and a very busy household, so our energy use is high. When the cost of living increased, our bills really shot up, which was so difficult.

“I found out about the scheme through my job at the council and realised I was eligible. The process was simple. I applied online and heard back from the team quickly.”

Through the scheme, Katie had solar panels and a battery installed at her home, which she says she would not otherwise have been able to afford.

“It was really straightforward. They carried out a survey of my home to check its energy rating, then talked me through the options and the benefits of solar panels.

“They did an amazing job. I still can’t believe it was completely free. There is no way I would have been able to afford it otherwise. I would encourage anyone to check if they are eligible because it could make a real difference.”

Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “It is great to see how the Warm Homes: Local Grant has helped Katie and her family make their home more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

“Katie is one of over 100 households that have already benefited from the scheme, and there are a number of ways it can help. With energy costs still a concern for many households, this scheme can help people cut costs and make their homes warmer and more efficient before the colder months return.

Find out more about the scheme and check eligibility by visiting Welcome the Warmth’s website or by calling 0800 038 6775.  

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Pupils in Oxfordshire are arriving at school better prepared to learn, thanks to a county council funded healthy snacks project that is improving wellbeing, behaviour and attendance.

Funded through the council’s wider cost of living programme, the initiative supported four secondary schools in 2025/26 - The Oxford Academy, North Oxfordshire Academy, Cheney School and Henry Box School - with £25,000 to ensure children from low income households are not going hungry during the school day.

The scheme provides targeted early support for pupils while helping schools identify those arriving without having eaten. This enables sensitive safeguarding conversations and more tailored support for families.

The project forms part of the council’s wider package of support for residents facing ongoing financial pressures, with more than 219,000 interventions delivered across Oxfordshire in 2025/26 to help households with essentials such as food and energy.

Schools are already reporting clear improvements in behaviour and engagement. At Cheney School, Deputy Head Louise Elias said: “Self-referrals to the behaviour team for food related issues at the start of Period 1 have dropped to zero. Students are arriving at their first lessons settled and ready to learn.”

Clare Forder, Deputy Head at The Oxford Academy, added: “The community served by the school really needs support with access to food, particularly fruit and vegetables, as there is such a strong correlation between deprivation and poor school outcomes.”

Feedback from pupils at Henry Box School has shown the scheme is helping young people feel safe and supported, while North Oxfordshire Academy has reported a “transformative impact” on student wellbeing, safeguarding, attendance and engagement.

Cllr Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “During uncertain times and amid continuing cost of living crisis, too many families are facing impossible choices. In Oxfordshire, around 10 per cent of children are living in poverty, and we know that hunger can have a real impact on a child’s experience at school.

“This project shows that something as simple as a healthy snack during the school day can make a meaningful difference. While it is concerning that something so small can have such a profound effect on a child’s education and wellbeing, it also underlines why practical, compassionate support like this matters so much for children and families across our communities.”

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Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet has been asked to approve the new programme next week, which will make use of funding from the government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund from April. It replaces the previous Household Support Fund and will provide around £5.12 million each year to support residents who are struggling.

Unlike earlier schemes, this funding is confirmed for three years, allowing a move away from blanket, one‑off payments and towards more targeted support that links immediate help with longer‑term measures to strengthen financial resilience.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We know that cost of living pressures never disappeared for a lot of people, and rising fuel costs, higher food prices and increasing household bills all continue to place strain on residents, and the impact is often felt most sharply by those already on low or fixed incomes. Sadly, we expect that many more households may feel the pinch again with the ongoing fuel crisis.

“This new programme is designed to make sure that support is available exactly where it’s needed, when it’s needed. By moving away from short‑term, one‑off funding and instead securing a three‑year commitment, we can give residents and local services greater stability and certainty.

“That stability means we can do more than simply respond to immediate crises: we can work with people to improve their financial resilience, help them avoid future hardship, and ensure they’re receiving all the help they’re entitled to.

“Our priority is to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and to make sure no one is left without somewhere to turn. This programme is a key part of that effort.”

Help for people in financial crisis will continue all year round through the Residents Support Scheme. This service provides supermarket vouchers, top‑ups for pre‑payment energy meters and essential home items such as fridges or beds, based on individual needs.

Alongside crisis support, the programme will continue to fund services that prevent future hardship. This includes free debt and benefits advice, supporting around 6,000 people each year, along with help to ensure people are claiming all the benefits they are eligible for, and practical support with budgeting, housing costs and financial wellbeing.

Support for families and children remains a priority. Funding for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme will continue, providing meals and activities for eligible children during school holidays.

The programme will also continue to support community‑based help such as community larders, food co‑ops, community fridges and the provision of hygiene essentials including toiletries and cleaning products.

Additional targeted support will be available for people with extra needs, including disabled residents, older people, carers (including young carers), people fleeing domestic abuse, migrants with specific dietary or medical needs, and people leaving hospital who need financial help to return home safely.

Find out more about help available for rising living costs by visiting the council’s website.

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The Warm Homes Local Grant, a scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Welcome the Warmth, is designed to help eligible households improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing heating costs and improving comfort, particularly for those on lower incomes and living in less energy efficient properties.

Improvements include insulation, low carbon heating, and solar panels, depending on eligibility and property type.

The scheme is fully funded by the government, meaning residents who qualify do not have to pay for the measures covered by the grant.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Everyone deserves a warm, comfortable home that’s affordable to heat. The Warm Homes Local Grant is helping Oxfordshire residents lower their energy bills, improve their health and comfort, and cut carbon emissions at the same time.

“By fully funding measures such as insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels, this scheme is supporting households through the cost of living pressures while also helping us take practical action on climate change.”

The county council’s trading standards team is also taking the opportunity to remind residents to stay aware, as some individuals may attempt to take advantage of the situation through unsolicited doorstep visits or pressure-based sales approaches.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety, said: “The Warm Homes Local Grant can make a real difference to people’s lives – helping households stay warm, reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions, all at no cost to eligible residents.

“But it’s vital that people feel safe and confident. We want to be absolutely clear: the council will never cold call you about this scheme, or any other for that matter. If someone turns up at your door or contacts you out of the blue claiming to be linked to a council grant, please don’t feel under any pressure to engage. We can confirm whether a company is genuinely connected to the scheme, and keep a close oversight of all approved and associated businesses, and can provide independent reassurance whenever needed.”

All installers working on the scheme are subject to a rigorous vetting and onboarding process, including checks on qualifications, accreditations, insurance, health and safety standards and customer satisfaction. Installers are not permitted to use the scheme to upsell additional work, and strong quality assurance checks are in place.

There are three steps residents are urged to take to protect themselves when dealing with cold callers:

• Never agree to home improvement work on the doorstep
• Never hand over personal or financial details to cold callers
• Take time to check and verify information independently – the council’s retrofit team can assist with this 

Residents who think they may be eligible are encouraged to find out more and apply directly through official channels. Find out more about the scheme by visiting the council’s website or by contacting the retrofit team on retrofit@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Concerns about cold callers, misleading claims or suspected fraud should be reported to Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standard

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People can expect to receive a ‘warm welcome’ at Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries this winter, with the network offering a warm space and a hot drink for those who need it.

For the fourth year running, Oxfordshire libraries are partnering with the Warm Welcome Campaign, which supports a network of over 4,000 warm spaces across the UK.

The campaign seeks to open up more community spaces for free for those who may be feeling isolated, or whom need a warm place to stay during the colder months.

Oxfordshire’s libraries are also delivering a range of other support for residents including free cultural activities, advice sessions and signposting on helpful topics.

Simon Lay, Libraries Branch Network Operations Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We will be particularly focused on providing warmth, company and support to those affected by poverty and social isolation over the winter months.

“We’re continuing to see a rise in the number of people taking up the offer of a warm space and a hot drink. In Abingdon Library, for example, we are delighted to welcome back our regular visitors and welcome new faces.

“It’s a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the space we provide, reading newspapers, doing a jigsaw and connecting with others. Take up of the warm space offer has increased by 50 per cent, and the team are grateful that we are able to provide this hospitality.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Warm spaces such as our libraries provide a lifeline for many in our communities during the winter months. By offering a welcoming environment, a hot drink, and opportunities for connection, we’re not only helping people stay warm, but we’re also helping to tackle social isolation and support those facing hardship.

“This initiative is a clear reflection of our strategic priorities: we are committed to reducing inequalities, improving health and wellbeing, and building resilient, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Our libraries are at the heart of this effort, ensuring that every resident has access to the support and warmth they need this winter.”

As well as libraries, many other community buildings across the county also provide a warm space for those who need them. Find out more by visiting Warm Welcome’s website.

Find out about other ways to keep warm during the winter months, including financial help and more, by visiting the council’s dedicated webpage.

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Single bus fares will be capped at £1 every Sunday in December in Oxfordshire – an improvement on last year’s offer, which only included the Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This measure proved popular last year, with more people using the bus as a result. So, we are delighted to be able to not just repeat it, but to expand it by including the Sunday after Christmas too.”

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, said: “This is great news for passengers, the bus industry and the local economy. The festive period is crucial for the visitor economy and retail sector and an expensive time of year for many, so this scheme will help everyone and encourage more people to travel sustainably for Christmas shopping or festive get togethers.”

The 2023 offer led to an estimated 7.4 per cent increase in bus journeys and it is hoped for a similar result this year.

Chris Hanson, Managing Director of Stagecoach, said: “We are pleased to once again support this initiative, offering £1 bus fares on Sundays throughout December, in Oxfordshire.

“This scheme not only makes festive travel more affordable but also encourages sustainable transport options during a busy time of year. We look forward to welcoming more passengers on board and helping everyone to enjoy the festive season with ease and convenience.”

The December fare cap is one of many measures funded by a £1.9 million government grant in 2023 to improve bus services over two years.

Bus users can also continue to take advantage of the recently introduced MyBus ticket, offering almost unlimited travel on nearly all local services for a fixed daily or weekly rate. More than 100,000 journeys have already been made with the ticket in a little over three months.

Park and ride users can also carry on making savings thanks to the joint parking and bus travel ticket. The ticket, which offers parking for 16 hours plus return bus travel, remains at £4 for a car with one adult or £5 for a car with two adults until April 2025. With both options, up to three children under 16 can travel for free.

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The move follows the announcement by the government that the Household Support Fund will be extending from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: “Inflation has fallen significantly since it’s high of over 11 per cent in 2022. However, this does not reflect the real situation people face every day, particularly those on lower incomes.

“Many people are still struggling with everyday costs and are having to cut back on basics such as food and heating, and sadly this has a very real impact on people’s physical and mental health.

“This is why it’s so important that we can continue to provide vital support to households that need it the most.”

The programme will provide support to the following groups:

• Children and young people in receipt of free school meals will continue to receive them in during school holidays.
• City and district councils will receive additional funding for locally targeted support as in previous years.
• The Residents Support Scheme will continue ensuring anyone experiencing financial crisis can get assistance with basic household costs.
• Funding will be made available for low-income pensioners who have lost their winter fuel allowance.

Residents can learn more about support available to help with rising living costs by visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated webpage oxfordshire.gov.uk/living

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As well as the chance to reduce their energy bills ahead of winter, Oxfordshire householders have an extra incentive for downloading the Energy Saver App.

In response to the energy price cap rising from 1 October, Oxfordshire County Council is launching a new monthly prize draw for app users.

Starting in October, three lucky bill payers every month until January will win £225 – the average cost of a household’s monthly energy bill – creating 12 winners in total.

People can automatically enter the prize draws by downloading the app, connecting it to their smart meter, and logging in every month to view tips and savings.

The app, which launched in July 2024 and has been downloaded more than 1,800 times so far, is available exclusively to Oxfordshire residents. It is designed to help households save energy and reduce their bills.

Even if you don’t win, residents using the app are expected to save more than £200 annually on their energy bills.

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “We expect everyone who signs up will be able to cut their gas and electricity consumption by at least seven per cent and save themselves money.” 

The app connects to smart meters to gather information about electricity and gas usage, providing personalised tips and insights to help users cut their energy consumption.

Tom Woolley, SMS and Metis’s Product and Strategy Director, said: “Helping people save money by reducing their energy consumption is good for the planet and your pocket.”

The app is independent of energy suppliers, ensuring there are no hidden catches. It is supported by Oxfordshire County Council in collaboration with independent energy infrastructure and solutions provider SMS and its cloud-based energy transition platform Metis. It is funded by the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The app also offers users the opportunity to participate in trials for energy saving smart appliances like solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps.

Full terms and conditions of the prize draw can be found on the Energy Saver App’s website.

The app can be downloaded free of charge by visiting Google Play or the App Store.

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All of Oxfordshire’s 172,000 households who have a smart energy meter can download it for free whether they own or rent their home and regardless of which energy supplier they use. 

Oxfordshire County Council is helping to deliver the Energy Saver App, which will analyse gas and electricity consumption and suggest simple, personalised actions to reduce bills. 

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “In the middle of a cost of living crisis and a climate emergency, this exclusive offer for Oxfordshire is a fantastic way for residents to reduce their bills and cut their carbon emissions. 

“We expect everyone who signs up will be able to cut their gas and electricity consumption by at least seven per cent and save themselves money. The app is independent of the energy suppliers, so there is no catch, and we are delighted to be pioneering it here in Oxfordshire.” 

Later in the year, more than 500 householders representing a cross-section of app users, will also be invited to help trial energy smart appliances. These include solar panels, batteries and heat pumps on a cheaper monthly basis, removing the barrier of installation costs, providing clean energy, and helping transform Oxfordshire’s homes.

This trial will look at how modelled energy tariffs could affect take-up of energy smart appliances, helping to achieve a low carbon energy system.

The service, provided by independent energy infrastructure and solutions provider SMS and its cloud-based energy transition platform Metis, aims to bring affordable green technology to more households.  

Tom Woolley, SMS and Metis’s Product and Strategy Director, said: “The app, powered by Metis, connects to your smart meter to automatically gather information about your electricity and gas usage. It then analyses the data to provide simple advice on how you can reduce your bills.

“Additionally, the app uses the information to suggest future steps for saving money through solar and heat pumps, customised to your household’s specific needs. Users will be asked to input information about their smart meter.

“The app can then access current and historical electricity and gas usage data from the UK Data Hub, which it translates into clear, simple insights that make understanding – and reducing – home energy consumption quick and easy.

“The decisions on when and whether to get solar panels, battery systems, heat pumps can be a daunting task. This approach makes sense of that, removing the need for upfront investment and clear data driven, bespoke options to further reduce energy spend and reliance on the national grid.

“Helping people save money by reducing their energy consumption is good for the planet and your pocket.”   

Anyone signing up to the app here can: 

• Receive personalised, easily actionable tips to help them reduce their energy consumption.
• See how much money and CO₂ they’re saving.
• Receive insights about their home energy consumption on their phone.
• See which devices have consumed the most energy.
• Compare their energy consumption with similar homes.
• Create a weekly or monthly budget and track their spending and usage against the target.
• Compare their spending and usage with previous months to track progress.
• See how much they’re paying for each unit of energy.
• Receive notifications about abnormal consumption.
• Understand their future consumption based on usage history and other similar homes.
• Participate in energy events and prizes.
• Receive personalised recommendations for home efficiency upgrades and their likely impact. 

Users remain in control of their data and no user information will be shared with third parties without their explicit consent. 

The app has been developed through a collaboration between the council, SMS and Metis, Eliq and My Utility Genius and is supported by the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

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Following an allocation of £3,361,256 from the government’s Household Support Fund, the council would be able to provide support for the next six months.

Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: “While the rate of inflation has reduced a great deal, the impact is still being felt by many, especially low-income households with many costs remaining very high.

“This is why it’s so important that this funding from the government’s Household Support Fund means we can carry on providing support to those who need it the most for the next six months.”

This funding is the fifth round of assistance provided by the government’s Household Support Fund to support vulnerable residents. All funding must be spent by 30 September 2024.

The programme will provide support to the following groups:

• Children and young people in early years settings, schools and colleges will continue to receive free school meal equivalent support ahead of school holiday periods.
• City and district councils will receive additional funding for locally targeted support as in the previous year.
• The Residents Support Scheme funding will stay at the same level as 2023/24, ensuring anyone experiencing financial crisis can get assistance with basic household costs.

The Residents’ Support Scheme launched back in June 2023 and helps residents with one-off short-term basic living costs such as food, credit for gas/electric prepayment meters and essential household items. During the first 10 months of the scheme, 5,238 applications were received, with 3,620 of those resulting in an award being made.

Residents can learn more about help available during the cost of living crisis at Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated webpage oxfordshire.gov.uk/living.

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The support, agreed in September 2022, has been provided in addition to national resources provided through the Household Support Fund (HSF) including a varied programme of support for energy saving measures through the Better Housing Better Health Programme.

High levels of resources have also been provided to local voluntary and community sector (VCS) services.

Cllr Liz Leffman, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We’re proud of the support that’s been given to residents at this very difficult time. We believe it has made a real difference at a time when energy bills, food costs and other expenses have been spiralling due to the well documented inflationary pressures in the economy.”

Cllr Michael O’Connor, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, added: “Resource and effort are important but so is coordination. By working together with many organisations we really have made a difference in these tough times and we’re grateful for the work done by those partners all over the county.

“We do have the resources in place to be able to provide similar levels of support to vulnerable residents in 2023/4 and plans are being laid down to do just that.”

Support provided has included:

• Families of 15,000 children eligible for free school meals in term time being supported with £15 each per week over the school holidays
• 2,000 early years children being paid a grant of £60 for winter 2022/23.
• 11,000 low-income pensionable households each being awarded £85 with a 90 per cent uptake.
• 8,000 people being helped by emergency welfare schemes covering community food services and application-based emergency support. This included 656 pensioner households.
• 500 foster carers and similar and 78 shared lives carers were given a £200 grant towards increased energy and food costs.
• £5,000 was provided to asylum seekers for basic clothing and other personal items not available through the voluntary and community sector
• A total of 105 projects being supported by the council’s Community Building Energy Support Scheme helping voluntary and community sector organisations with energy costs.
• 41 projects were funded by Oxfordshire Community Foundation’s cost of living grant to help community organisations tackle the cost of living and build resilience.
• A £210,000 grant was awarded to Citizens Advice to maintain debt and benefits advice services.

The council has also supported advisory agencies in the voluntary and community sector and on 1 June launched a new Resident Support Scheme which has already supported 160 Oxfordshire households.

There’s lots more support in the pipeline and for more information visit the county council’s website.

Pulhams Coaches, which runs the 15, 15A, 19, 802 and X9 services, will charge passengers just £2 per journey from tomorrow when the next extension to the national fare cap comes into effect.

The government’s £2 cap on adult single fares began on 1 January for three months to help people with the cost of living crisis but proved so popular it was extended until the end of June. Now it has been extended again until 31 October, after which fares will be increased to £2.50 until November 2024.

The bus providers in Oxfordshire that have already opted in are:

• Arriva
• Oxford Bus Company
• Redline Buses
• Stagecoach
• Thames Travel
• Reading Buses
• Thames Valley Buses
• Langston & Tasker

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “It is great that so many bus operators in Oxfordshire have signed up to take part in the bus fare cap scheme. We know cost of living pressures are affecting many people and these discounted fares are already helping residents to cut costs as they use buses to get to school, to work and to visit our town and city centres.

“Swapping car journeys for bus trips also helps reduce the number of cars in our town and city centres, reducing congestion, cutting emissions and improving the environment.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.

“Buses connect our communities and play a vital role in growing the economy; they transport people to work, take our kids to school and make sure patients can get to doctors’ appointments.

“That’s why we’re determined to protect local routes and encourage more people onto the bus, ensuring people can get around easily and in an affordable way.”

The temporary £2 bus fare cap on adult fares does not change the concessionary fare scheme or impact free travel. Services where singles already cost less than £2 are also not included, and there are some exemptions such as:

• dedicated school services
• services which only run on school days
• coach services including the Oxford Tube.

More details are available on the government’s website or by visiting bus providers’ websites.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s climate team was successful in the second phase of applications to the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2). The £630m government-funded grant scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating to low income households living in fuel poverty.

The HUG2 funding will deliver whole-house retrofit installations to at least 310 properties across Oxfordshire that are not heated by mains gas – instead heated, for example, by electricity, liquefied petroleum gas, coal or oil.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “Those who live in poor quality housing are more likely to suffer from long-term health conditions such as respiratory illnesses and struggle with fuel poverty. We know that the risk of fuel poverty is, unfortunately, increasing as the cost of living crisis continues.

“Therefore, we hope that the programme will help to expand on and complement the work we are already doing, such as through our Better Housing Better Health service, to make vital home improvements to reduce fuel poverty and improve health conditions.”

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “A quarter of carbon emissions in the county come from our homes. The least energy efficient homes not only tend to be more expensive to run but also have a greater carbon footprint as a result.

“However, this retrofitting service will allow residents in energy inefficient homes to get improvements required to not only reduce their fuel costs, but also their carbon footprint, removing the funding barrier for those residents most in-need.”

Retrofitting funding will prioritise insulation first, followed by sustainable heating, including air source heat pumps, and then consider renewable, free electricity generation via solar panels.

The programme is available to residents who own their home or privately rent, do not use mains gas for heating, have a combined household income of less than £31,000, or are on means-tested benefits. Homes should also have an energy performance certificate rating of D or below.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill.

“The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”

For those wishing to find out more, an expression of interest form is available at oxfordshire.gov.uk/retrofit.

Oxfordshire County Council, in collaboration with the districts and city councils, also funds the Better Homes Better Health service. This service supports residents with energy efficiency advice, accessing grant funding and improving access to eligible benefits to reduce fuel poverty and improve health conditions. Residents can call the advice line on 0800 107 0044.

Further information, including eligibility, will be added to Oxfordshire County Council’s website nearer to the project start, in April 2023. The retrofit team can be contacted at retrofit@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Households not eligible for HUG2 grants still have time to see if they can apply for help with retrofitting their properties through HUG1 scheme.

The scheme runs until the end of May and aims to improve poorly insulated homes for low income residents in properties with an EPC rating of D or below. Details are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Oxfordshire County Council has sent letters to over 4,250 residents eligible for support. These residents will be in receipt of housing benefit but no other relevant state benefits, and therefore do not qualify for the government’s cost of living payments.

Claire Taylor Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director for Customers and Organisational Development and Resources said: “We know it’s a challenging time for many residents. That is why we are using the Household Support Fund, money provided by Department for Work and Pensions, to support residents most in need. 

 “This measure is another way the council is continuing to support residents during the cost of living crisis, and I would encourage everyone eligible to respond to their letter as soon as possible.”

 Each letter has a link to a form where residents can securely enter their bank details. They will also receive a unique reference number to protect against fraud. Residents must fill in this form by 28 March 2023 to claim this money.  

 Anyone with concerns or who is unable to access the online form can contact Oxfordshire County Council’s customer service’s team on 01865 956511.

 The council received £3.3 million from Department for Work and Pensions. This funding is the third round of the Household Support Fund to support vulnerable residents. As well as assisting residents who receive housing benefit, the council is offering support to other vulnerable groups:

• £1.1m food vouchers for children and early years on free school meals during school holidays
• Over £500,000 to city and district councils for local emergency welfare schemes
• £200,000 for residents known to the council with long term health conditions and disabilities
• £200,000 for carers across Oxfordshire

In all cases, residents will be directly contacted about support by their school or the council. Those who need to apply for emergency welfare can apply through their city or district council.

Residents can learn more about help available during the cost of living crisis at Oxfordshire County Council’s dedicated webpage oxfordshire.gov.uk/living

More information

Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards service is encouraging all residents to ‘Take 5 to Stop Fraud’ during the cost of living crisis.

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

Report: You can report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using our online reporting tool, or by calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm).  If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm dial 999

For advice on any other consumer issue, or to report a matter to trading standards, call the Citizens Advice national consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or at citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer  

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People with long-term health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD) and high blood pressure can get advice and support to help sort out housing problems that may make their health worse from the service.

The service aims to support residents keep their homes safe and warm. It can also refer those who need it for further social and financial support to help people stay in their own homes for longer.  

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “We know good housing is critical for good health. Winter months can be particularly stressful for those in poor-quality housing, which can exacerbate health conditions. Those who live in the poorest quality housing are more likely to suffer from health problems, such as respiratory issues.

“With the ongoing cost of living crisis, we’re all feeling a little nervous about what this winter may bring. We hope that this service, which can provide people who may need it most with vital home improvements, can go one step towards helping residents to stay safe, warm, and healthy.”

The service has supported 1,592 households and made over 200 visits to people's homes since 1 January 2022. 

The help offered can be immediate and short-term such as emergency fuel vouchers for those on prepayment meters, or long-term, such as getting insulation or a new heating system. 

The service can also help residents to understand their energy bills and the support and benefits they may be entitled to.

Jayne Yuruker, Community Link Worker at Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “It's wonderful to have such a great resource in our county. When I make referrals, the service responds to clients quickly and offers support both over the phone and in person. It has a wealth of knowledge, which has directly benefited my clients and I look forward to continuing to work with the team.”

Learn more about the work of Better Housing Better Health, including how to access support, by visiting bhbh.org.uk or ring 0800 107 0044.

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The £100,000 fund will help community groups with their energy bills to ensure venues can stay open.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “The council committed to ensuring that community venues stay open this winter. This fund will continue to support the hard work of community groups, who are helping some of the most vulnerable people in the county so that rises in costs to access services are not passed on.

Zoe Sprigings, Chief Executive Officer for the Oxfordshire Community Foundation said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Oxfordshire County Council again on a further round of grants, this time to support the increased costs of running premises.  We know that community buildings are becoming hubs for everything from mutual aid to befriending to debt advice, and we really welcome this additional support to keep these spaces open for the winter.”

The funding opportunity is now open until 21 November 2022. Community groups can find out more and apply online by going to Oxfordshire Community Foundation’s website.

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Organisations that work closely with residents were among those joining Oxfordshire’s six councils at the roundtable, which sought to identify gaps in current support, share information between partners, and build on the collaboration over recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

On top of ongoing national-level support, local support will be crucial in helping the most vulnerable in communities.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “We’re all looking with increasing concern at the financial pressures many of our residents face as we head towards the winter. We know too well the impact that poverty can have on physical and mental well-being. Evidence shows a direct link between deprivation and health outcomes, including life expectancy.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to bring organisations across the county together to share information about our respective responses to the cost of living crisis and reinforce our common purpose.”

On 20 September, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet agreed to a list of proposals to assist local people – particularly the vulnerable - over the coming months. More than £2 million of funding will be provided in 2022/23 to support the proposals with further funding in future years. Find out more about what was agreed by reading the county council’s news story.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “This winter we are only too aware that more people will struggle with the cost of living crisis, and that means more demand on support services across the county. In Oxford, we’ve been working with services and community groups since the spring and throughout the summer on our cost of living events and advice. Sadly, we know that now we need to reach even more people. This was a valuable meeting of public sector and community organisations to share what we’re doing and the challenges in the community.

“The pandemic showed how powerful we can be when communities and individuals, supported by their local city council, come together to look after each other.”

Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “From processing council tax energy rebates, and advising on where to go for help and funding, to continuing our homeless prevention work, are some of the ways we’re supporting people in our district. We’ve requested urgent action from the government to relieve this crisis for families and individuals through providing immediate financial support.

“However, there is much more to do, and we know the power of partnership work which is why we fully support this concerted effort across the councils alongside voluntary sector partners to work together on additional measures to support people.”

Councillor David Rouane, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We’re doing all we can to help those in need whilst at the same time also imploring HM Government to take the necessary steps to ease the financial pressures being faced by our communities. 

“Locally, our actions included calling for this cost of living emergency event with our partners. This is an important step to work on a coordinated community response to bring help to those who desperately need it.”

Councillor Phil Chapman, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “At Cherwell District Council we’re allocating additional funding to give the households in the greatest hardship two £50 food vouchers in time for Christmas. Qualifying households will hear from us in the coming weeks, and we’re also creating a warm spaces network to provide venues where people can drop in, enjoy the warmth, and meet people.

“As we head into winter, I am determined to make the best use of our community networks and local partnerships to benefit our residents. North Oxfordshire includes some of the most economically deprived wards in the county and our attendance at this roundtable event reflects our commitment to working across the Oxfordshire system to make sure the help given to all our residents reflects their level of need.”

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader for West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The cost of living crisis affects all of us across society as the prices of everyday essentials are rising. We understand that many across West Oxfordshire are finding it hard to make ends meet so we are keen to work across the county to see what support we can provide as local councils.

“We are working with local communities across West Oxfordshire to provide additional support to those who will be struggling this winter and also working hard to let residents know about all the support already available to them. I would encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for help whether that be contacting your energy provider, speaking to citizens advice or looking at what financial support is available from the government.”

More information about support available for Oxfordshire’s residents struggling with rising costs can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/help-rising-living-costs

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