With no end in sight to the cost of living crisis, a summit, bringing together public and voluntary sector organisations, residents, faith groups and advice providers, will discuss practical ways to support people who are most in need.
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It’s being hosted on October 14 by Southampton City Council and Love Southampton – “an initiative from a broad range of churches”.
In a statement the council said that the summit comes “as the cost-of-living crisis has further exposed the deep financial inequalities already highlighted in Southampton by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
It added: “According to statistics published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2019, over 45% of Southampton’s population lived in neighbourhoods within the 30% most deprived nationally (around 117,000 people). Around 12% of Southampton’s population lived in neighbourhoods within the 10% most deprived nationally; this rises to 18% for the under 18 population, suggesting deprivation disproportionately impacts young people in the city.
“The cost-of-living crisis is therefore expected to have a significant impact on large numbers of people living in the city.”
Council leader Satvir Kaur said: “Our city has an amazing way of coming together when we need it most, and I’m sure we can do the same now and use this summit to work in partnership to provide practical support and hope for Southampton residents during these difficult times.”
Paul Woodman from Love Southampton said: “There is already much being done across the city, and we have many joint initiatives to help one another. Bringing together all who are interested in making a difference, gives us the opportunity to share what’s happening as well as work together on other ways we can relieve the financial pressure.”
Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash