COST OF LIVING
Cost of living Crisis
Although there are very few household energy deals around at the moment, you can still save on your other bills by using comparison websites. Some top tips to reduce bills include: • Don’t auto renew your car and home insurance with the same provider each year. You can save hundreds of pounds by shopping around annually for the best deal. • Is your mobile phone out of contract? Rather than upgrade, consider keeping your handset for longer and moving to a much cheaper SIM only deal. Also be careful not to overestimate how much data you use on your phone. Very few people need an unlimited data contract. Check how much you really use and find a SIM deal that covers your needs. • Shop around for the cheapest broadband and landline contracts. Prices are reducing all the time and this year has seen some of the cheapest ever, high speed broadband deals. • Plan your food shopping for the week before you head to the supermarket. This will help you stay within your food budget and reduce the chances of over-buying and wasting uneaten food. Energy and food costs may be rising, but there are still ways to save on your household bills...
Councillor Shaun Davies Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council
Struggling to pay your bills? Here’s just some of the trusted people you can turn to for help and advice:
Citizens Advice – helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent advice. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or speak to your local branch on 01952 567193. Money Advice Service – an independent service set up by the Government to help people make the most of their money. They give free and unbiased money advice. Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk for be connected with their specialist welfare benefit advice team. Visit www.wrekin.com Housing Options Team – our Housing Options team can give you advice if you are facing eviction, homelessness or need general housing information. Call 01952 381925 or by visiting www.telford.gov.uk/housing Wrekin Housing Group – customers can contact their housing executive
“As Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, my cabinet and I will do all we can to support you through this national cost of living crisis. We have frozen general council tax increases for this year and next – we have reduced charges and continue to put on free, value for money events, activities and leisure services where ever we can. We cannot do everything without government support, but we will do all we can. We are on your side.”
You can find out more at: www.telford.gov.uk/costofliving
Simple ways to reduce your energy use
“If you are in arrears with your fuel bill, it’s important to talk to someone. Don’t wait to try
Fancy some TEA?
• Reduce your shower time, particularly in electric showers. Reducing a daily shower from ten minutes to five minutes will save you £110 per year * • Washing clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 degrees daily will save you £145 per year , and £265 per year if you wash at 30 instead of 60 degrees.
and work out a plan, reach out to the friendly team at Telford Energy Advice who can help with billing issues, crisis energy support and saving money on fuel.”
Councillor Richard Overton Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport
* On the projected prices for October 2022,
For free, friendly and impartial advice on how to make the most of your energy usage at home, a little bit of TEA (Telford Energy Advice) might be just the ticket. The agency is just one of our many trusted partners, which we fund to support residents. From general help and advice on rising energy bills, fuel debt, issues with suppliers or accessing grants for insulation, heating improvements or home checks and free energy saving measures, the friendly team are on hand to help. If you, or someone you know, has concerns about energy bills, call 0800 677 1952 or email advice@mea.org.uk
Warm homes discount
If you are on a low income, you could get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount scheme. For details on the warm homes discount and more tips for reducing energy visit: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home/discount-scheme
The council has a dedicated site online, packed full of info to help during the cost of living crisis.
www.telford.gov.uk/costofliving
4 TOTALLY TELFORD 4
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