Fuel poverty
Celebrating positive action on health
St Helens BC’s drive and adaptability in addressing feedback from the community made it a worthy winner at The MJ Awards, say Katherine Merrifield and Gwen Nightingale.
A whole council approach to tackling inequalities
The MJ Award winners St Helens set up an inequalities commission to understand the issues holding residents back from reaching their potential and to give them a voice, as Ruth Du Plessis explains.
Weathering the storm – tackling the climate and health crises in tandem
The impacts of extreme weather are felt first by those who have least protection, and the solutions include health and wellbeing boards and a much more directive national framework, says Graham Duxbury.
Budget 2023: The promises made now call for action to benefit communities
The chancellor promised to give communities more control over their economic destiny, and this now needs to be backed up by action, says Graham Duxbury.
Tackling fuel poverty in the private rented sector
Councils are calling for action to help them robustly enforce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in the private rental sector, says Cara Jenkinson.
Using homeshare to solve social issues in a time of crisis
In a cost of living crisis there are real economic benefits to bringing service user groups together through homeshare, says Natasha Langleben.
What does our built environment need from the Government?
Chloë Phelps puts forward her three asks for Government that she believes would deliver quick wins in the most hard hit places.
Caring in a crisis
Cllr Mark Hunter explains how Stockport MBC and its partners are rising to the challenge of supporting residents through the cost of living crisis, while retaining a focus on growing the economy.
West Northants’ cost crusade
A fresh approach to tackling deprivation and poverty is at the heart of West Northamptonshire Council’s support for communities in a time of crisis, says Rebecca Peck.
Reducing the risk of damp and mould
Cara Jenkinson says that with the right action by central government and housing providers we can help avoid a repetition of the circumstances behind the death of Awaab Ishak.
More than half of councils planning warm spaces
More than half of councils are planning warm spaces where people can shelter from the cold this winter amid soaring energy costs, new research suggests.
Western Isles Council criticised by Accounts Commission
Councillors at Western Isles Council must provide leadership and clear priorities if the organisation is to improve, the Accounts Commission has said.
Cost of living crisis: Devolving power is crucial
In a cost of living crisis, councils need to be seen as the enablers and conveners they are, with the power to purposefully lead, inspire and connect, says Matthew Skinner.
Net zero pathway in Essex
Thomas Day hopes working with Community Energy South through its Pathways Programme can help drive the change needed to turn Essex into a net zero county.
Energy revolution’s quiet benefits
Ollie Pendered explains how councils beyond the South East are taking notice of the Community Energy Pathways Programme’s approach to tackling soaring energy costs and accelerating the drive to net zero.
Fuel poverty must fuel decarbonisation efforts
Decarbonisation doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with tackling fuel poverty so it’s important for social landlords to take a holistic view of retrofitting their housing stock, says head of sustainability for EQUANS UK & Ireland Stephen Batty.
End the wait and insulate
The new Prime Minister should look beyond short-term fixes and implement measures to permanently reduce energy bills, says Polly Billington.
Birmingham declares cost of living emergency
Britain’s biggest council has declared a cost of living emergency as new Prime Minister Liz Truss prepared to unveil her plans to tackle rising fuel costs and inflation.
What can the new PM do on the cost of living crisis?
The Government will need to do more to support people through the winter – not just those on the lowest incomes, says Rob Whiteman. 'The cost of doing nothing will be too great to bear.'
Scots councils moot winter warm spaces
A string of Scottish councils is believed to be considering the introduction of warm spaces this winter as the cost of living crisis bites.