Under this Tory government, the most vulnerable have been hit hardest. The rollout of Universal Credit alongside the benefits freeze has ensured that the poorest members of our community have become poorer. When the Tories refused to step up and fund free school meals for 10,000 Rotherham school children last year, Labour councillors stepped in. Nearly 9,000 children have received help with the cost of school uniforms through the council, and working with private donors we have secured thousands of laptops for children who need them to study from home.  We will do all that we can to prevent members of our community being left behind.

The council’s food bank support scheme ensures that more than 4,000 food parcels each year get to those who would otherwise literally go hungry. Through the pandemic that support has been invaluable. We have committed an additional £100,000 over the coming year to support local foodbanks and support development of a “social supermarket” to help to move people on from foodbank use.

1. The council’s food bank support scheme ensures that more than 4,000 food parcels each year get to those who would otherwise literally go hungry. Through the pandemic that support has been invaluable. We have committed an additional £100,000 over the coming year to support local foodbanks and support development of a “social supermarket” to help to move people on from foodbank use.
2. Ending rough sleeping: Over the last few years under the Tories, the number of people becoming homeless in the borough has trebled. That’s why we have already doubled the amount of emergency accommodation available to those who need it, and Labour councillors have a clear ambition to end rough sleeping in the borough.
3. The council and partner organisations support around 17,000 people with welfare rights advice each year. We have set out plans for a “Single Advice Model”; a streamlined efficient advice service making sure that people get the right advice quickly regardless of which organisation they approach first.
4. A new Rothercard: We will deliver a new universal entitlement, including a mobile phone app, that guarantees discounts on council services for those who need them most.
5. Saving the average home £150 on their energy bills: Our Community Energy Rotherham scheme will help to tackle fuel poverty, helping people to switch supplier or benefit from available grants.
6. Labour councillors have committed £100,000 to join forces with other councils in the region cracking down on the financial exploitation of vulnerable people. The scheme, which saw the first successful prosecutions in the country for financial exploitation last year in Calderdale, will now be extended to help to protect Rotherham residents.
7. The last year has shown again how important it is to be able to get online and use IT. Over the coming year, supported by Health partners, we will roll out a £450,000 programme to tackle digital exclusion and help people to get online.
8. We won’t cut our Local Council Tax Support Scheme for those on the very lowest incomes.