Launch of Warm Spots

Warm Spots is a joint project, led by Cumbria County Council, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, Churches Together in Cumbria, Cumbria Community Foundation and Cumbria CVS. It encourages and supports local organisations to open their doors to people in need of warmth and help, as the cost-of-living crisis and high fuel costs continue to put many people under real strain.

To help people find the Warm Spot nearest them a new website has been launched - www.cumbria.gov.uk/warmspots.The site provides an easy way to find out which Warm Spots are open and what they offer.

As a minimum, a Warm Spot will offer a warm space, a warm welcome, someone on hand to talk to if you wish, and a hot drink (free or at cost). But many are offering a much wider range of facilities, activities and support.

Warm Home Discount scheme

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has announced the reopening of the Warm Home Discount scheme which will provide a discount of £150 off electricity bills for three million low-income households this winter. Most households will receive the discount automatically.

The government has launched a new online tool, to make it easier for the public to check if they are eligible for the discount. The online tool will guide customers through the eligibility criteria in England and Wales, asking questions about electricity supply, the benefits they receive and characteristics of their property.

All customers will receive a letter between this month (November) and mid-January 2023 confirming their eligibility and the payment will be made automatically through energy suppliers by March 2023.

The government is also writing to customers who may be eligible, advising them to use the tool linked below to check eligibility, as well as to use the helpline for particularly complex cases.

Second cost-of-living payment

The government has announced that households receiving benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will receive the second part of the £650 cost-of-living payment.

The second payment of £324 will automatically be paid into the bank accounts of most of those eligible in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who receive a qualifying DWP benefit. This means those eligible will not need to do anything to receive the money.

Eligible customers who receive tax credits and no other eligible benefits from DWP will receive their payment from HM Revenue and Customs between 23 and 30 November.

Money Navigator Tool - reminder

A reminder that those in financial difficulty can access money and debt guidance for free. Money Helper UK provides guidance based upon individual circumstances and help find support in their area.

LGA’s cost-of-living support hub and bulletin - reminder

The Local Government Association (LGA) has created a cost-of-living support hub to help councils continue to support residents and a new monthly cost-of-living bulletin, both of which highlight the latest news from the government. This includes examples of good practice, latest reports and data and upcoming events.

Carlisle City Council has drawn together some Cost of Living information that provides links to government and partners’ support. The information is available at https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/news-and-events/cost-of-living-support

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – Delivering two new councils for Cumbria

All up-to-date information can be found at the New Councils for Cumbria website here – Home (newcouncilsforcumbria.info)

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• Future for Cumbrian councils
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Winter Ready campaign

Winter Ready 2022 seeks to ensure people have the right information, advice and guidance at their fingertips. It has been developed, and is supported by a wide range of partners, including Cumbria County Council,Cumbria’s six district councils, NHS, Cumbria Community Foundation and the Environment Agency.

This year’s campaign will reflect the winter travel and weather preparations, and up to date public health information and guidance, including information about covid and flu boosters.

A wide range of information about winter-related items is available on the county council’s website.

The campaign provides advice and assistance on everything you need to know to help you be prepared and to get winter ready, including:

• The latest information, guidance and support available to people regarding Coronavirus.
• Emergency planning - advice on how to protect your home from flooding and find out if you are at risk.
• Winter travel - how to stay safe, keep up to date with road and weather information and make sure your vehicle is ready for winter.
• General health advice - staying well this winter.

The R value and growth rate

The UK Health Security Agency has published the latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of COVID-19.

The current R range for England is between 0.7 to 0.9, which means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 7 and 9 other people. The latest growth rate between -5% and -3% meaning that the number of new infections is growing by between 5% and 3% every day.

These estimates represent the transmission of COVID-19 two to three weeks ago due to the time delay between someone being infected, developing symptoms, and needing healthcare.

National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest national influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.

Surveillance indicators suggest that, at a national level, COVID-19 activity has decreased in most indicators in week 44 of 2022. The main findings include:

• The number of acute respiratory infection incidents (suspected outbreaks) increased to 140 in week 44, compared to 182 in the previous week.
• The hospital admission rate was 5.41 per 100,000 population, in the previous week it was 7.71 per 100,000 population.
• Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were highest in the North East, with a rate of 7.38 per 100,000 population.

Hospitalisation rates for flu are stable overall but are now slightly exceeding the baseline threshold for the first time this season. There is some week-to-week variability: the over 75s and under 5s remain the highest but have dropped, while rates in the 15 to 44-year-olds have increased.

The UKHSA is reminding the public to keep up the actions that are helping to reduce the spread of viruses - meeting in well-ventilated spaces, washing hands regularly and staying away from others where possible if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness.