Mayor Lutfur Rahman expands support for cost of living

ANDY BURNHAM: are you listening? While the new Prime Minister takes some modest steps towards mitigating the worst effects of the cost of living, Mayor Lutfur Rahman is striding forward in Tower Hamlets.

Tower Hamlets is a borough of extremes: people on modest incomes live next to those on very high incomes. The Mayor’s efforts are targeted at those on the lowest incomes, those who face the greatest struggles. His key decision has been to raise the family income threshold – the level of income that allows residents to apply for the main support programmes such as school uniform grants and Council Tax Relief – to £60,000.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, 4th September, the Mayor said that he hoped that the initiatives – such as universal free school meals and school clothing grants – begun in Tower Hamlets will serve as a model for other authorities across the country. “Tower Hamlets Council is building a safety net that reflects our values ​​and genuinely supports local communities,” he said. “We are the first local authority in England to introduce universal free school meals for all primary and secondary school students. Since 2023, more than 4.5 million meals have been served to secondary school students.

“By raising the income threshold for the school clothing grant scheme to £60,000,” he continued, “we are helping thousands more families ensure their children are best prepared for the new school year. This support scheme is part of our broader commitment to increasing investment in the borough’s young population and removing barriers to opportunity.”

Mayor Lutfur Rahman addresses local journalists.

The Mayor went on to announce progress so far.
•9,620 students have received school uniform grants, EMA (a grant to over 16s staying on in education), and bursaries for students going on to Higher Education.
•Universal free school meals benefits approximately 38,000 children and young people every year. The investment in Free School Meals helps improve children’s achievement at school. It also improves their health, and helps families ensure that the whole family can eat better because children at school have had a nutritious meal at lunch-time.

The Mayor also announced what is to come for students in Higher Education: travel passes and free laptops for those starting university.

The Mayor was supported at the press conference by two Cabinet Members: Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and the Cost of Living, Councillor Maium Talukdar; and Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Governance, Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury.

The Mayor explained his reasons for helping local residents, saying “The family income threshold for eligibility for various support schemes – including school uniform grants and council tax relief – has been raised from the previous £50,350 to £60,000. In the 2025/26 year, over 3,000 students received financial grants under this program. With the family income limit raised to £60,000, the number of beneficiary students is expected to reach 6,892 – more than double the previous figure – in the 2026/27 financial year.”

Andy Burnham: we hope you are taking notes!

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Mayor Lutfur Rahman praises school achievement
Mayor Lutfur Rahman offers help with Council Tax