Cost-of-Living Crisis Conference – October 20th, 2022
Overview
On Thursday October 20th, 2022 Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) held a one-day conference focussing on local and practical monetary responses to the Cost-of-Living crisis.
With everyday living costs soaring, policymakers and practitioners from across the public, VCFSE and private sectors came together to learn about ways in which local stakeholders can respond to the financial pressures facing a growing number of households.
We designed a packed programme, full of breakout sessions with speakers from across the UK.
Below are details of all the sessions held at the conference. Each session title (except one) links through to further information including the presenters, their organisations, as well as in many cases, a copy of their presentation.
Programme
| Welcome, introduction and conference overview | Justin Watson (Non-Exec Director, GMPA) Graham Whitham (CEO, GMPA) |
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| Promoting the Real Living Wage | John Hacking (GMPA), Sophie Little (Living Wage Foundation), Chris Smallwood (Anchor Removals), Nicola Ryan (One and All) | |
| Cash First in Practice 1 | Joanne Mitchell (Wigan Council), Joanna Hill (Trussell Trust), Dr William Wheeler and Andy (GM Migrant Destitution Fund). | |
| Poverty Proofing | Georgina Burt (Child Poverty Action Group), Luke Bramhall (Children North East). | |
| Lived experience in decision-making – Poverty Truth Commissions | Dan Oliver (GMPA), Claire Vibert, Lorenza Rizzo and Lindsay Brindley (Trafford Poverty Commission). | |
| A Greater Manchester response to poverty and soaring living costs. | Andrew Lightfoot (Deputy Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority). | |
| Understanding unclaimed benefits | Alicia Harries (Independent Age), Steven Hughes (Citizens Advice SORT), Alex Clegg (Policy in Practice). | |
| Delivering benefits advice through existing services | Laura Arrowsmith (Maternity Action), Graham Whitham (GMPA), Elaine Riozzi (GMPA). | |
| Avoiding high interest debt and promoting savings | Sheenagh Young (South Manchester Credit Union), Chris Bennett (Fair For You), Stephen Hope (Engage Accounting). | |
| Maximising the impact of local welfare provision. | Simon Watts (Public Health Registrar), Vicky Powers (Derbyshire Council), Corin Hammersley (Greenwich Council). | |
| Preventing harms – gambling and the cost of living | Jo Evans (Greater Manchester Combined Authority), Beth Sammut (Deal Me Out). | |
| The role of housing providers | Aileen Edmunds (Trafford Housing Trust). | |
| Citizens Advice response to the Cost-of-Living Crisis | Hayley Hughes (Citizens Advice Manchester). | |
| A cash first and advice first approach to referrals and signposting | Dan Oliver and Jon Sands (GMPA). | |
| The role of employers – beyond the Living Wage | Ian MacArthur (Growth Company), Katy Jones (Manchester Metropolitan University), Christine Moore (Manchester Credit Union). | |
| The importance of local anti-poverty strategies | Penny Rimmer (GMPA), John McKendrick (Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit). | |
| Cash first in practice 2 | Gareth Evans (Cash Perks), Jodie Terry (SMART London), Maria Marshall (Independent Food Aid Network). | |
| Lived experience in decision-making – Experiences from GM | Dan Oliver (GMPA), Sarah Whitehead (Salford Community Pride CIC), Katie Jenkinson (Trust House Bury) | |
| Principles of cash first | Anela Anwar (CEO, Z2K) |
Sponsors
We are grateful to the following organisations who sponsored the main conference.
We are also grateful to our session sponsors:
