This week the Money Saving Expert website predicts that even though the energy price cap increased by a massive 54% in April it will rise again by a startling 70% in October. This rise will plunge millions more people into fuel poverty.

I?m incredibly concerned about how this will affect people in Nottingham who just cannot afford to pay an expected ?3,359 a year for a typical energy bill. I?m asking everyone to act now to get yourself into the best possible position by:

• Using a benefits calculator to check you?re claiming everything you are entitled to
• Getting help if you need it with debts
• Are you currently in debt to your energy provider? They all have schemes to help ? check their websites. British Gas also offers grants of up to ?1500 to help with energy debt ? and you don?t have to be a British Gas customer
• Paying for childcare like nursery, after school clubs or a childminder? You can get 20% off these costs until your child is 11, saving up to ?2000 a year, by using the government tax free childcare scheme.

Through the Greener HousiNG scheme, Nottingham City Council is installing insulation in homes for free from Autumn 2022. If you have a household income of less than ?30,000 per year and your home is difficult to keep warm, you could be eligible. Find out more https://nottenergy.com/our-services/green-homes-grant-lads/

Nottingham City Libraries is joining forces with the City Council and NHS to bring Health and Wellbeing Hubs to more community locations around the city.? Whether you need information on accessing health services, making your money go further or finding out what?s on in your area to help you boost your wellbeing by connecting with others, the team are here to help ? just drop in during the session times.

Next week they?ll be at Radford-Lenton, Wollaton, Strelley Road and Aspley Libraries, with more dates and locations to follow. Further details can be found here

Tomorrow is the 10^th annual Cycle to Work day, encouraging people to save money on transport and help the environment whilst getting more active by switching to cycling to work. It?s also Cycle September next month, making this the perfect time to hop back on your bike ? sign up with Love to Ride to connect and become part of the Nottingham cycling community: https://www.lovetoride.net/nottingham

Our city has a fantastic cycle network spread across the entire city which makes riding a bike easy and convenient whether it?s for work or for pleasure, so pump up your tyres and get cycling! You can see the city?s full cycle map here.

Don?t know how to cycle or in need some minor service or repairs on your bike? RideWise are offering a free Dr Bike service for your bike as well as free adult cycle lessons for both beginners and for building on-road confidence with bikes and helmets available to borrow! Book your session with RideWise here.

Reducing car travel and replacing with low carbon transport modes such as cycling is a great way to help the city meet our ambitious Carbon Neutral by 2028 target. And like many low carbon initiatives actually saves you money.

If the turn-out for Pride last weekend is anything to go by, we can expect bumper crowds at the first Riverside Festival in two years. It?s a hugely popular free date in the Nottingham social calendar, taking place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 August on the banks of the River Trent, with lots of live music, all the fun of the fair, plenty of opportunities to eat and drink and the famous fireworks display back with a bang on both Friday and Saturday night.

Three massive live music stages will host a wide range of musical influences to suit all tastes, with the full line-up and stage times now announced here.

On Saturday and Sunday, in the little ?Big Top? area, younger festival goers will be able to brush up their circus skills.? The workshops will feature stilt walking, mini tightrope, plate spinning, juggling, novelty bikes and space hoppers. Wolly the clown will also perform a free family show each day, with his hilarious, physical comedy and breath-taking stunts.

The best way to get to the free festival is on public transport with lots of bus services serving the site and a tramstop nearby ? with NET providing an ?8 for ?8? offer for festival goers. There is also ample parking, with a ?2 off offer if booked in advance here

More here