All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
HOUSEHOLDS can get free white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer.
Essential appliances aren't cheap to come by, with Which? estimating the average price of a fridge freezer is around £800.
1
But you might be able to get help with the up front costs through a giant government fund.
The Household Support Fund is worth £742million and has been distributed between councils in England.
Further money has been issued to local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What help you can get and whether you qualify for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria.
However, in most cases you will be in line for support if you are on a low income, benefits or vulnerable.
Some areas are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them too.
We've rounded up some of the councils offering residents help with the cost of essential household appliances.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering thousands of hard-up households help.
Some can get help covering the cost of white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and even beds for children.
The council wouldn't say how much the average price of a white good someone will receive might be.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills
Households requesting help must be referred to the council by someone like children's services, adult services or Age UK.
You'll need to be of limited income to be referred. The criteria you must meet is:
Single adult in work: Your household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance)
Two or more adults in work: Your household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance)
Your household savings must be under £2,000
If you're a pensioner, you can have savings up to £16,000
If you have received help towards the cost of white goods from Blackburn with Darwen Council in the last 12 months, you cannot get help in this latest round.
More details on the scheme and how to apply are here - www.blackburn.gov.uk/cost-living-support/household-support-fund.
Isle of Wight Council
Isle of Wight Council is distributing funding to local organisations to help residents pay for energy-efficient white goods like ovens and fridges.
That means if you want help you will have to apply via either your local town or parish council, schools or colleges or a local charity.
If you are on a low income or benefits, it's worth contacting the Isle of Wight council to see if you qualify for help.
The number to contact is 01983 823644.
Enfield Council
Enfield Council is offering free white goods to households in need, with home delivery included.
Those who qualify for help will be contacted by a supplier who will arrange for any appliances to be installed.
You will need to prove you're struggling financially to apply though. To apply, you must:
live in the borough of Enfield
have an annual household net income of less than £40,000
have less than £1,000 in savings
To find out more and apply, visit: www.enfield.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-money-advice/household-support-fund.
Southend-on-Sea City Council
Southend-on-Sea City Council is open for applications from hard-up residents - and households can get white goods.
Households can also apply for help covering the costs of beds, bedding and clothing.
You can apply for help if you're 16 or over, live in the Essex area, are on a low income and fit any one of a number of criteria.
For example, one of these criteria is that you need help to ease "exceptional pressures" on yourself and your family.
Another is that you cannot meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency like a fire or flood in your home.
For more details and to apply, visit www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund/4.
Barking and Dagenham Council
Barking and Dagenham Council is distributing support to residents through a number of means including help towards the cost of white goods.
The council has said help will only be given to those who need an appliance due to an emergency.
To be eligible you need to be living in the borough and struggling with rising living costs like food and energy bills.
You also need to prove you have previously taken steps to boost your income by claiming council tax support, housing benefit, Universal Credit or another benefit.
More details can be found via www.lbbd.gov.uk/household-support-fund-hsf.
What to do if you live outside these areas
If you don't live in one of the above areas, check your local council's website to see what help you can get.
You might not be able to get help covering the cost of white goods but may be eligible for other help.
For example, Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those on benefits.
Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit.
You can find what council area you fall under via www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended.
The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
FA approves radical change to Women's Super League
Plans for the Women's Super League to be expanded to 14 teams have been approved by the FA Board, passing its final hurdle. The news comes after WSL clubs voted to expand the top flight from 12 to 14 earlier in the week. FA approval was needed due to the 'golden share' which the association holds over the women's game. The plans will now come into place for the 2026/27 season, with the top two teams in the Women's Super League 2 promoted automatically at the end of the upcoming campaign. A relegation play-off between the bottom WSL side and third-placed WSL 2 outfit will decide the final spot of the enlarged division. A statement, published on the FA's website, read: 'The FA Board has approved proposals made by WSL Football to increase the size of the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) to 14 clubs. These approvals were made pursuant to The FA's rights under its special share in the leagues and also FA Rules.' From the 2026/27 onwards, one club will be automatically promoted into the WSL with the worst performing side in the top-flight relegated. Then, the 13th-placed side in the top tier will face the second-placed WSL 2 team in a play-off. The FA's statement added: 'There will be consequential changes to promotion throughout the remainder of the women's football pyramid for the 2025-26 season, which will be decided in due course. 'The growth of the WSL and the WSL 2 reflects the ongoing evolution of the women's professional game in England which we consider will be of benefit to all clubs.' Initial plans to remove relegation all together were scraped after backlash from supporters, with clubs instead approving the new 14-team arrangement.
The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cheapest supermarket for school uniforms revealed and prices are LOWER than buying second-hand on Vinted
THE cheapest supermarket to get a school uniform has been revealed - and you could pay less than buying second-hand on Vinted. Aldi and Lidl have come out on top this year as the supermarkets with the lowest prices for uniforms, according to analysis by The Sun, with prices at both stores frozen since 2022. 2 2 The budget retailers are bringing back their school uniform "bundles" for ages 4-12, so parents can get two polo shirts, a sweatshirt, and trousers, a skirt or shorts from just £5. Many individual uniform items at both Aldi and Lidl start from less than £2, with trousers and skirts priced from £1.75, sweatshirts from £1.50, and a two-pack of polo shirts from £2.49. School shirts from both retailers work out at around £1.20 each, with Lidl offering a two-pack for £2.49 and Aldi offering a three-pack for £3.69. The Sun has found that parents could kit out their little ones with a school uniform from the budget supermarkets this year for less than if they were to buy the items second-hand on Vinted. Over 500 sellers on the online marketplace are currently offering "school uniform" items, with many working out as more expensive than Aldi and Lidl's offering. For example, one seller has posted two used grey pleated skirts for age 5 years for £5.69, meaning you would save over £2 buying two new skirts from Aldi or Lidl. Another is selling grey boys shorts for age 5 years for £2.46 - over 70p more than the supermarket prices. There are also several polo shirts up for sale on the website, with one seller offering a set of two navy polo shirts for ages 5-6 for £4.08 - meaning you'd make a saving of £1.60 if you bought them new from Aldi or Lidl. While you can still save money by buying a school uniform second-hand, there are benefits to purchasing from an established retailer if you can. Consumer expert Martyn James says: "It makes much more sense to buy new from a retailer where your shopping rights are much clearer than on the second hand market. Sainsbury's scraps in-store changing rooms leaving shoppers furious "But don't forget that the Consumer Rights Act covers all purchases you make from shops and even individuals – just check the T&Cs!" School uniforms will be hitting supermarket shelves in the coming weeks, with Aldi launching its back to school range on June 29 and Lidl's available from July 6. What other supermarkets are selling school uniforms? School uniforms will be available in almost all UK supermarkets, as well as some other high street stores, in the coming weeks. Sainsbury's Sainsbury's launched its 2025 school uniform offering on June 15, with prices starting at £3 for a two-pack of white polo shirts. The supermarket is also offering customers 20% off its school uniform range until this Sunday, June 22. Sainsbury's school uniform prices are as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 (£6.40 in sale) Trousers: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Skirt: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Polo shirts: 2pck from £3 (£2.40 in sale) Sweatshirt: 2pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Shirts: 3pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Asda Asda sells school uniforms all year round both in store and online, via its clothing range George at Asda. It's latest uniform prices can be found here: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £7; you can also get a 5 pack from £20 Skirt: 2pck from £7 Polo shirts: 2pck from £3; or 5 pack from £7.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck from £5; or 5 pack from £12.50 Shirts: 2pck from £3.50; or 5 pack from £8.50 Tesco Tesco is set to launch its back to school range in stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on July 21, while shoppers in Scotland can get school kit from July 7. The retailer is yet to reveal the full details of what will be on offer and pricing for its new range, but last year it slashed prices by 25% for Clubcard customers. There are currently several school uniform items available on the Tesco website, with prices as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £11 Polo shirts: 3pck £4.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck £8 Shirts: 3pck from £9 M&S M&S sells school uniform items all year round, with online prices starting from £2.49. Prices currently online are below: Cardigan: from £5 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £10 Polo shirts: 2pck from £4.50 Sweatshirt: from £6 Shirts: 3pck from £9 How to get a discount on school uniforms Grants to help with school uniform costs are offered by several councils across England, with up to £200 free cash available to parents. The Household Support Fund (HSF) is designed to help those on a low income, benefits, or classed as vulnerable. To apply, you'll need to get in touch with your local council. Most councils have pages on their website dedicated to the HSF, while you can also call your local authority to find out if you are eligible for the support scheme. Unlike in England, all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales offer school uniform grants. It's also worth checking out your local charity shop to see what's on offer. Some charity shops have deals with uniform manufacturers and retailers meaning you can get brand new items at bargain prices. Meanwhile, many schools and community groups run second-hand uniform exchanges where parents can find and donate uniforms. .
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Glasgow given go-ahead to introduce a tourist tax
Tourists in Glasgow will start paying extra for their accommodation after the city gave the green light to introduce a tourist tax by 2027. In a bid to generate £16m a year for the Scottish city, visitors heading to Glasgow will be charged five per cent of their accommodation bill extra, which will work out to £4.83 per night on average. Under national legislation, the council has to undergo an 18-month implementation phase, so the levy will not be rolled out until January 2027 at the earliest. The decision was made in a city administration committee on Thursday, with 1.5 per cent of each levy being retained by accommodation providers, while the rest will be invested in Glasgow's infrastructure projects and events. The funding will also be used for public services, such as street sweeping, maintenance of city landmarks and improvements to parks, which will benefit both residents and visitors. A council spokesperson said there was support from all parties on the committee, including the SNP, Labour, Greens and Conservatives. The move to introduce the levy came following a public consultation that started in January between local trade bodies and accommodation businesses. Deputy Council Leader Richard Bell told The Independent: 'Many Glaswegians will be familiar with visitor levies, which are relatively common abroad. 'The levy means that some of the people who enjoy what Glasgow has to offer, but do not pay local taxes, will be asked to make a small contribution to the city. 'In turn, that money will be invested in making Glasgow a better place for citizens and visitors alike – which will benefit our tourist trade.' Green Cllr Blair Anderson, whose motion started the process, said: 'The tourist tax is going to be a game-changer for Glasgow, delivering more money to tidy up our city and make it even more attractive for visitors and residents alike. 'A small contribution from tourists will mean we can invest millions more in street sweeping, bin collections, and getting Glasgow looking good again. 'I'm glad that Greens in Holyrood got this law passed, and I'm grateful to all councillors who have worked with me over recent months to get this tax in place as soon as possible.' The levy will apply to all hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed & breakfasts and self-catering accommodation. Glasgow currently averages around 2.9 million overnight stays each year, which generates an expenditure of £250m. The Visitor Levy Act became law in September 2024. This allows councils in Scotland to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. This devolved power has been met with mixed responses, with Edinburgh becoming the first to vote in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. Meanwhile, South Ayrshire council is set to abandon its plans for a visitor levy in light of residents' and businesses' concerns that the area does not warrant one for the number of visitors it receives.
