Supporting people through the sustained higher cost of living remains a top priority for Renfrewshire Council, according to a new report.
An update on the Council’s £5million Fairer Renfrewshire programme and its progress has been published and will be considered by councillors at the Leadership Board next week. This includes work to take forward the new two-year Fairer Renfrewshire Action plan to address impacts of poverty on families and communities.
Keeping money in people’s pockets by maximising incomes, reducing costs, and providing access to early help for families and households is one of four key priorities in the new plan.
More than £10million has been put back into people’s pockets since April 2025 through advice services provided by the Council’s Advice Works team and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.
A £50 Winter Clothing Payment has been paid to families during October for the last five years for every child in receipt of a School Clothing Grant. This money helps cover the costs of winter coats, boots and hats.
The £75,000 Cost of the School Day fund continues to support families with low incomes to pay for school items, such as PE kits and stationery, and take part in extra-curricular activities.
Free breakfast clubs are provided in schools with high numbers of pupils receiving Free School Meals, ensuring young people have eaten a healthy breakfast and are ready learn.
Families have also been supported to maximise incomes through the Council’s employability service Invest in Renfrewshire, helping parents to earn more money.
The Council will also focus on improving community health and wellbeing, improving equality and inclusion, and using data and evidence to put resources and funding where they will have the most impact.
The £100,000 Summer of Fun programme supported families with low incomes to enjoy free summer activities, with almost 9,000 children benefitting during summer 2025.
The current Winter Connections programme continues to be popular, with a high demand of applications from community groups to the grant fund supporting the programme of free activities across the area.
Digital support has also been given through 36 Digital Champions who delivered more than 550 volunteer hours and 300 sessions across the area.
Almost 100 data sims have been provided to households with low incomes from the Databank. Data sims help households get online to access education, apply for work, claim benefits, use online banking, and keep connected with family and friends.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, depute leader of Renfrewshire Council and chair of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, said: “The pressure of the ongoing higher cost of living continues to affect families and communities across Renfrewshire. This is why providing the support to help people keep more money in their pockets is vital and will remain as one of our key spending commitments.
“Last year we asked local residents from across the area what was important to them and they told us that supporting people, especially those most in need, was one of their top priorities.
“That’s why, through our Fairer Renfrewshire Action Plan, we’re committed to continuing to invest in the practical support people need as well as programmes that improve their wellbeing and strengthen community connections.
“The impacts of poverty are wide reaching. That’s why the Lived Experience Panel are crucial partners for making change to how services are delivered that will positively change things for people affected by it.
“There is always much more to do as the higher cost of living continues to affect people across Renfrewshire. Our teams will continue to use data to ensure we are providing the most effective support that creates real change for families and communities.”
Alana Forsyth, CEO of Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “Our advisers see first-hand every single day how challenging the continued higher cost of living has been for local people. The team work tirelessly to make sure residents can access the crucial financial support and advice they need to maximise incomes and reduce pressures on people’s pockets.
“As an example, through our partnership with Renfrewshire Council, our Schools Support Service provides advice to families with children in high school or an ASN school. People are able to access confidential help in the familiar setting of their child’s school, right in the heart of their local community.
“Getting the right advice as early as possible can make a significant difference in helping families to improve their financial situation and avoid crisis. I’d encourage anyone who wants to talk to an adviser to make an appointment.”
People can make an appointment for advice with Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau or the Council’s Advice Works team.
In December, the Council agreed to donate £10,000 to Renfrewshire Foodbank to support growing demand during winter.
The Lived Experience Panel made up of local people who have experienced poverty continue to shape a wide range of policies across the Council and its partners. Current teams the panel are working with are health, climate change, education and justice.