Cost of living crisis: Sadiq Khan to fund £2.3m advice service to help struggling Londoners

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced £2.3m of investment in advice services to help Londoners deal with the cost of living crisis.

This comes as new polling shows that the number of Londoners who are struggling with the cost of living continue to increase.

A total of 30% of Londoners say they are just about managing while 17% are financially struggling.

The money will go to the London Citizens Advice and London Legal Support Trust (LLST) to help reach more Londoners who are struggling to access help and support.

The funding is part of £5m the mayor is spending this year on helping Londoners access welfare advice.

Earlier this year Mr Khan launched a Cost of Living Hub to help Londoners access information and advice on how to claim benefits, help dealing with debt, financial management and mental health support.

The hub includes targeted information for groups of Londoners who are more likely to experience poverty and financial hardship.

Mr Khan, said: “I’m hugely concerned about the impact of the spiralling cost of living on Londoners, with increasing numbers struggling to get by each month.

“I’m determined to do all I can to support Londoners, which is why I am providing this funding to boost the vital work of London Citizens Advice and the London Legal Support Trust.

“By helping Londoners to access help and support they are entitled to, we can prevent more people falling into poverty and instead build a more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

Deputy mayor for communities and social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes Bernard, said: “The pandemic has exacerbated long-standing social inequalities in London, and many of those who have been hit hardest are now contending with further stresses as a result of the rising cost of living.

“This investment will help to provide support to Londoners most in need by increasing access to a wide range of advice services across the capital.

“The mayor and I are committed to working in partnership with communities to ensure we build back a better London for everyone."