Extra funding to combat cost of living in city

Some of the money will go towards expanding the city's community shop network by opening four more and supporting existing ones

Extra money is to be spent on helping Wolverhampton households through the cost of living crisis, the city council says.

Up to £2.6m will go towards opening four more community food shops, providing children with access to food during holidays, tackling bed poverty and supporting care leavers.

The money was announced by the previous Conservative government as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Grants will also be given to community and voluntary groups to help residents meet essential daily living costs, the council added.

Earlier this year, another community shop and cafe opened in the city offering people the chance to buy food at affordable prices through the HSF and the council.

Residents can register to use the service for an annual price of £3 in order to buy the food at lower prices.

"We asked the people of our city to tell us where the real pressure points still are for them and how we can best help," council leader councillor Stephen Simkins said.

He said the authority would would with communities and organisations, to "build financial resilience" to help residents in the future.

Money will also be spent on grants for schools to ensure children have access to food before and after school where needed, support tenants to move on from temporary accommodation and help families in meeting the cost of school uniforms.