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As households across Neath Port Talbot continue to face high energy bills, rising food costs and financial uncertainty, the council’s latest Cost of Living Update Report has highlighted the impact its targeted support has had on helping residents maximise their income and manage essential costs.

Through its Welfare Rights Service alone, the council helped residents access £12.4million in additional income during 2024-2025 with officers supporting more than 1,400 people and achieving a 93 per cent success rate at benefits tribunals. In addition, since January 2024, targeted Pension Credit campaigns have secured £986,203 in annual Pension Credit for low-income pensioners, with almost half (49 per cent) of households contacted making a successful claim, gaining an average of £60 per week.

Councillor Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “Cost of living pressures remain very real for many families in Neath Port Talbot. This report demonstrated that we are not standing still - we are acting decisively to put money back into residents’ pockets and provide practical support where it matters most.

“Behind every headline figure is a household that is more secure. Whether it is a pensioner receiving money they were entitled to, a child accessing healthy meals during school holidays, or a family reducing their energy bills, the impact is tangible. Our approach is targeted, and delivered in partnership, and we are determined to continue protecting the most vulnerable and strengthening resilience across our communities.”

Support for children and young people is also highlighted as a key priority. In summer 2025, Neath Port Talbot Council delivered the largest Food & Fun Programme in Wales, with 22 schools offering more than 1,800 places providing healthy meals and activities during the school holidays. Nearly 2,000 children benefited from Flying Start provision during 2024-2025, and more than 1,500 families accessed the Childcare Offer for Wales, helping parents to work, train or increase their hours while accessing funded childcare.

To help tackle fuel poverty, over £9 million has been invested locally through the ECO-Flex scheme, improving energy efficiency in hundreds of homes.

Community grants for food poverty and warm spaces have enabled more than 80 local organisations to support residents, while partnership work with Warm Wales has assisted over 3,000 households through hardship relief interventions.

Councillor Knoyle added: “Our teams contact residents because we believe they may be entitled to financial support they are not currently receiving. If you receive a letter from us about potential support, it is simply an invitation to check what you could claim.

“We know that some residents may be unsure about letters or calls relating to benefits, particularly given the rise in scams nationally. I want to reassure people that if Neath Port Talbot Council contacts you about potential financial support, it is genuine. But we would always encourage residents to use the contact details published on our official website if they would like to confirm anything. We would much rather people contact us to ask the question than miss out on support that could help.”

Residents who want to find out what support is available to help with the cost of living can visit www.npt.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp . For those who are not online, leaflets are available at local libraries and civic centres across Neath Port Talbot.

The Cost of Living Update Report 2024-2025 will be considered at council’s Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee as part of its continued commitment to tackling poverty and supporting communities across Neath Port Talbot.