As concerns over cost of living crisis grow, a council has agreed a £2 million support package for residents.

The costs of food and energy are soaring and Brighton and Hove City Council has pledged the money to help those on the lowest incomes.

Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “We don’t think it’s acceptable that this winter some residents will be forced to choose between heating and eating.”

The council will be continuing free school meals for six weeks over the school holidays up to next Easter. This provision will cost £810,000 and will include early years and sixth form pupils.

Food clubs and providers of delivered meals will receive £60,000, while the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership will receive £40,000.

The most recent Department for Education figures showed that over one in five state school pupils in the city were eligible for free school meals, and the council expects the numbers to rise.

It said poverty in the city is considerably worse than before the pandemic, with an estimated 12 per cent of households living in fuel poverty in 2020.

“This council is taking some of the strongest steps possible,” said Cllr Mac Cafferty.

“We’re prioritising support for households in hardship and our most vulnerable residents and the council stands ready to help how we can and will continue to explore available options.”

Last winter, Brighton and Hove energy services co-operative supported 75 fuel poor households. This year, the council is giving the service £115,000 to support residents over the winter.

It fears national cost of living pressures mean that people who were “just about managing” could be pushed into food and fuel poverty.

The council is now calling on the government for extra support, saying it does not “have the power or funds to do everything needed.”

Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “On behalf of our residents, we’re asking for private rents to be to frozen for two years, free school meals for every primary school child and a temporary ban on evictions to be introduced.”