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Reducing poverty in Cumbria

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A new blueprint for fighting poverty and protecting Cumbria's most vulnerable people has been agreed by Cumbria County Council's Cabinet.  Councillors approved a new anti-poverty strategy (Word 698kb) to build on the work carried out since the council's first anti-poverty strategy was launched two years ago (January 2009) in the immediate aftermath of the economic downturn.

Two years on, many people in the county still face economic hardship and Cumbria continues to contain pockets of some the UK's worst deprivation. Now that all local authorities are dealing with the deepest financial cuts since World War Two, it is especially important that the council prioritises the resources it has so that they are targeted at the most vulnerable people in Cumbria.

Four key 'pillars' will underpin the council's new anti-poverty strategy to tackle inequalities in health, wealth and opportunity, namely: 

  • Fuel poverty and affordable warmth: to reduce the number of fuel poor households in Cumbria.
  • Child poverty: to ensure that children in poverty have the best start in life.
  • Financial exclusion: to ensure everyone in Cumbria has access to financial services and information.
  • Work and skills: for Cumbria to have one of the fastest growing economies in the UK.

Each of the four 'pillars' will have specific work streams attached to them, such as establishing 'warm zones' in the county, working with Richard Rose Central Academy to increase uptake on free school meals, and continuing to expand Cumbria's credit union movement.

These will help deliver the council's new proposed top priorities to challenge poverty in all its forms, ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities receive the support they need, and improve the chances in life of the most disadvantaged in Cumbria.

Achievements already delivered by the county council's fight against poverty include:

  • The successful launch of a financial inclusion forum to help people to access mainstream services such as bank accounts, low-cost home contents insurance and affordable credit through credit unions.
  • Successfully co-ordinating the affordable warmth initiative to raise awareness of support such as winter fuel payments, grants for loft and cavity wall insulation, and other energy efficiency measures. 
  • A successful bid for DWP Futures Fund to create 219 jobs between 2010-11, totalling £1.42 million.
  • A £700,000 package for intensive support for business start ups.
  • An increase in investment and resources in money advice in the county, with 1,421 people assisted with debts of over £9m.
  • Over 18,000 School Uniform grants given since September 2009.
  • 265 people on long-term incapacity benefit have been assisted back into work on the Return to Work programme together with around 400 claimants receiving vocational training.

We also have a dedicated micro-website for recession advice along with further information on money advice and are a major funder of the Citizens Advice Bureauthis external link will open in a new window in Cumbria. 

For further information about the council’s antipoverty strategy, contact David Stephens on 01539 713436 or email david.stephens@cumbriacc.gov.uk