A £100,000 fund to held council tenants in Stoke-on-Trent with the cost of living is set to be extended for another year.

Awards from the Financial Independence Fund (FIF) can be used to help council tenants struggling with rent arrears or, for example, to buy essential white goods that would otherwise be unaffordable.

The council has also pledged a 'financial MOT' to every resident who needs it, as part of its Help is at Hand campaign. 

The extension of the FIF will be considered by the council's cabinet on January 14. The additional funding has been allocated through the council's Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26.

Awards are administered by the Income Advice Team and come as part of a package of support that includes advice on debt, budgeting and maximising income. 

Cases are referred to the team by housing officers, when they notice someone struggling financially or in rent arrears. 

This comes as the council is set to confirm council rent increases of 2.7 per cent (Nub News).

The move comes with the cabinet also set to confirm council rent increases of 2.7 per cent for 2025/26. Tenant services charges for council dwellings will also rise by 2.7 per cent under the proposal. That is significantly lower than the seven per cent rise last year. 

Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We recognise the pressures tenants are under due to the rising cost of living and the proposed rent increase, which is in line with government guidance.

"The income raised from rents is ringfenced meaning it will be re-invested back into the housing stock. This enables the day-to-day repairs and means work can continue to maintain, manage, modernise and develop our homes and create a healthier standard of living."

Cllr Watson added: "Council rents in Stoke-on-Trent are still among the lowest in the country in comparison to other local authorities and registered providers.

"For residents who are finding it especially difficult to manage their finances, we are extending our Financial Independence Fund and are continuing to offer financial MOTs. We can also signpost residents to partner agencies who can support with advice around money and debt, energy, food and health."

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