Preston City Council has unveiled plans for a new £1million package of cost-of-living support measures designed to help residents facing ongoing financial hardship throughout the current financial year.
The new proposals build on the support introduced by the Council in 2025 and aim to provide immediate relief for households struggling with rising living costs, while also investing in longer-term initiatives focused on tackling poverty, improving health and supporting financial resilience.
The support package includes four new initiatives:
Development of a new cooperatively owned Kitchen Works training centre to help young people into employment (£250,000)
Investment in Lancashire Community Finance and financial resilience support (£75,000)
A dedicated support officer to help residents struggling with Council Tax debt (£37,887)
Commissioning of a new citywide Anti-Poverty Strategy (£35,000 from existing funding)
Alongside the continuation and expansion of support introduced in 2025:
Free swimming and swimming lessons (£120,000)
Support for low-income pensioners (£71,700)
Increased Holiday Activities and Food provision (£10,500)
Food network and community support (£120,000)
Expanded Council Tax support for households affected by terminal illness (£100,000)
Discretionary Housing Payments to help prevent homelessness (£100,000)
The Council is also exploring future schemes including subsidised bus travel for children and young people and expanded access to ethical finance and credit union services.
Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said:
“Although inflation has fallen from previous highs, we know many households in Preston are still dealing with the ongoing realities of the cost-of-living crisis and a failed national economic model.
“Families continue to struggle with the cost of food, housing, transport and energy, and many residents remain financially vulnerable.
“This new package builds on the work we introduced last year and focuses support where it is needed most while also investing in longer-term opportunities to tackle poverty and improve financial resilience.
“We are committed to supporting our communities through practical measures that make a real difference to people’s everyday lives and reduce poverty.
“We will look to continue the one-off payments of up to £400 and £100 for the least well-off families and pensioner households respectively. Additionally, our plans to reduce the cost of public transport for children and young people will make a big difference to family incomes.”
Support will also be provided for Preston’s food network, including food hubs, pantries, community cafes and local voluntary organisations.
The Council says the proposals reflect its wider commitment to fairness, community wellbeing and reducing inequality across the city.
