Residents across Leicestershire who need support with rising food and energy costs can apply for a slice of a new £7.2m pot.

Leicestershire County Council was been awarded the money by the Department of Work and Pensions and is urging people who are struggling to pay their bills to apply. Eligible households can receive an average of £200 in vouchers.

This means that the council has now made £22m of wide-ranging support available to help ease cost of living pressures. Over half-term, 14,000 children across Leicestershire could also benefit from £15 school food vouchers.

Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing remarked that "Prices remain sky high so it’s important we’re helping households with essential costs. As well as offering school food vouchers during the holidays, making sure no child goes hungry, we’re supporting local charities, including helping local foodbanks to purchase food."

“Global economics are beyond our control but we’re committed to supporting our residents and I’d encourage people to apply," she added.

This week, the council was the only local authority invited to speak at the Work and Pensions Committee at Westminster. On Wednesday (7 June), Richard Hunt, the council’s head of catering, hospitality and country parks, talked to the committee of MPs and set out the wide-ranging cost of living support provided.

The council’s support includes:

• Energy efficiency grants and advice - through the council’s Warm Homes scheme

• Community fridges – run by volunteers, the projects in Wigston, Coalville, Loughborough, and Hinckley, are continuing to support their local communities by providing donated food for free to anyone who needs it

Applications need to be made through a professional or support worker – or through one of the following organisations:

• Registered charities and voluntary organisations

• Schools/education settings

• Food banks

• Care organisations

• Children’s Services

• Adult Social Care

• Housing

• Revenues and Customer Support

• Public Health

• Care and NHS professionals including nurses and GPs

• District and borough councils

• Citizens’ Advice

The money is from the Government's Household Support Fund. Find out more on the council's Cost of Living webpage here