Halton Housing Trust is launching a series of household budget workshops to help customers who may be struggling in what are difficult times.

The workshops, run by Halton Housing Trust will be held every month, starting in March.  Staff will be on hand to give advice about managing budgets and identifying any areas where savings can be made.

They have been launched following news that unemployment in Halton rose for the third consecutive month to 5.5 per cent.

This has been coupled with a decline in the number of job vacancies which means there were nine claimants for every job vacancy in Halton in January – compared with five claimants in December.

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust, said: “These are very difficult times for many people and we are committed to increasing the level of welfare support we can offer to any customers who are finding it hard to make ends meet.

“We have a range of services on offer to help ease the burden in different ways, by offering furniture grants, working with a range of other agencies to help our customers get back into employment and supporting customers who wish to move out of larger properties.”

Halton Housing Trust is also improving its other welfare support services and has a variety of schemes including a free handyperson service for the elderly and disabled.

The next budget workshop will take place in Widnes on Tuesday, March 22. To book a place contact: 0151 510 5024 or email amber.cairns@haltonhousing.org