Warm hubs and energy grants feature in North Lanarkshire cost of living campaign

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Warming “welcome hubs” are to be set up and signposted across North Lanarkshire over the next month as part of the council’s new eight-point programme to help with the escalating cost of living.Residents will be directed to community and council facilities to make use of drop-in spaces during the winter, while £2.1 million is being made available to help those struggling with rising energy bills.Council leader Jim Logue called the financial situation “a national crisis” with household costs rising to “frightening levels”, and said the local authority was taking action as “more people than ever face unprecedented financial hardship this winter”.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Members of the council’s policy and strategy committee unanimously approved the £8.6m package of measures – under its new Living With Less campaign banner – at a technology-delayed hybrid meeting this week.It will include making public buildings including libraries, community centres and leisure facilities available for “a heat and a chat in a stigma-free environment”, including charging facilities and hot drinks where possible; while a further £450,000 will be directed to voluntary and community groups making similar provisions.Residents in low-income households will be able to apply for £150 fuel hardship payments; while