Making your life easier and cheaper I know many people across Greater Manchester are feeling the pressure of rising costs. Food, energy, housing and travel all matter to family budgets, and for too many households, working hard no longer feels like enough. That’s why, when I was elected I made a commitment to you, that every decision I take will be tested against one simple question: will it make life better for the people of Greater Manchester? This week we brought together businesses, community groups and public sector organisations from across Greater Manchester at our first ever Cost of Living Summit to look at what more we can all do to support residents this winter and beyond. No single organisation can solve these pressures alone. But by working together, we can make it easier for anyone who is struggling to find support, claim what they are entitled to and get help before problems become harder to manage.  |
| What we are doing We’ve already made some important changes to make life easier and cheaper. In my first few weeks as Mayor I announced we’re extending Our Pass so that 11-18-year-olds can travel on Bee Network buses for free, saving families up to £500 a year per child. We’re expanding free baby bundles for families from 1,500 to 10,000 by next year so that more local families can access the essentials they need for their newborn. And I’ve announced we’ll deliver a new generation of 50,000 council, social and genuinely affordable homes by 2039, with 10,000 of these new homes to be built, on site, or on the way by May 2028. But we know there’s more to do and we know we can’t do it alone. This week, I asked people at the Cost of Living summit to sign up to a new Greater Manchester Cost of Living Commitment. I was delighted with the response. Utility providers, banks, building societies, charities, employers and public services have already pledged to help put more money back in people’s pockets and make support easier to access. Some of our early actions to counter rising costs include: Bringing community banking services back to local high streets, so more people can access face-to-face financial advice and support. Developing a new ‘Tell Us Once’ approach to make it easier to get help with bills. When introduced, residents will only need to register once and can be matched with support from participating organisations. Helping people claim what they are entitled to, including pension credit, help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and carer’s allowance. Launching a new support website — everydaysupport.org.uk — bringing together information and advice from dozens of sources in one place. Working with employers and partners to support communities, including more donations to Multibank Northwest and action to reduce energy bills for renters. The summit was just the start. There were plenty of conversations on the day about what more we could do, and we’re committed to ensuring those conversations turn into action and solutions. |
| Support already available There’s already lots of practical help available across Greater Manchester, including support with food, fuel bills, digital connectivity, school holiday activities and emergency financial support through local councils and community organisations. Where to find help If you or someone you know is struggling, please visit everydaysupport.org.uk to find information about the support available. You can also contact your local council or local voluntary and community organisations for advice closer to home. We know there is more to do. We can’t change every rising price or every bill. But I’m committed to doing everything I can to make a difference. Thank you to those individuals and organisations who are already stepping up to the challenge. By continuing to work together, we can find practical solutions and deliver real change for residents across Greater Manchester. Bev Craig Mayor of Greater Manchester |
