South Tyneside Council sets out long-term plan to help with the cost of living crisis
South Tyneside Council has outlined how it will support with the cost of living.
The Council has confirmed that it will use the Government’s new Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) as it looks to deliver both immediate crisis support and sustained, preventative action.
The new three-year settlement, which is worth £3.018 million per year, will replace the short-term Household Support Fund and runs from April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2029.
This multi-year approach will allow South Tyneside Council to plan further ahead and invest in services that reduce the risk of repeat crisis.
Under the CRF, South Tyneside Council will focus on:
- Crisis payments (cash first): Quick, person-centre help for households facing a sudden financial shock with support so people are linked to the right services.
- Housing payments: Support for rent shortfalls and moving costs to prevent homelessness.
- Resilience services: An investment in community shops, the Key Community Food Bus, budgeting support and advice services that help maximise income, reduce debt and improve long-term financial security.
- Community Co-ordination: A “no wrong door” network helping residents access support easily and avoid repeating their story.
The local authority has stated that some elements of the plan have already been confirmed, including continued support with school uniforms, warm packs, community shops, the community food bus, and targeted Housing Payments.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, has stated that the CRF helpings provide some stability to the local authority when it comes to offering support for residents.
She said: “We know many families are still feeling the strain, and this new three-year fund gives us the stability we’ve been pushing for.
“It allows us to continue urgent crisis help while also investing in practical, local services that prevent people from being pulled back into hardship.
“Our approach is person centred: we help with today’s challenge and connect people to support that makes tomorrow easier too.”
The Government has signalled that school holiday food vouchers will not be funded nationally beyond September 2026.
In South Tyneside, the Council plans to continue vouchers until that point while broadening support to help families access all their entitlements and reduce the need for short-term solutions.
Some CRF spending will begin from April, with further activity shaped over the coming months.
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