Skip to content
Facts CountEdition: PortsmouthChange place
or browse all wards

Find your area

Cost of living · What matters

The cost of living

Energy, rent and food costs take a large share of low incomes, leaving some households unable to heat their homes or buy food without help.

Need help now? Switched On Portsmouth (0800 260 5907) ↗ · Cost of Living Hub and helpline (023 9284 1047) ↗

Raised by: Official data · Department for Energy Security and Net ZeroCouncil plans
+5 moreHealth and Wellbeing Board (Tackling Poverty Partnership Group)UK Government (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government)UK Government (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), with councils and developersUK Government (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), with participating developers and lendersResidents’ surveys

The problems

4 problems within the cost of living

Each has its own evidence, people affected and actions. They are shown side by side, not ranked: their measures, sources and dates differ.

Energy costs10.9% Households in fuel poverty, 2024Households on low incomes in homes that are expensive to heat cannot afford to keep warm without cutting back elsewhere.5 actions · 2 gaps in the evidenceSee the problem Rent and housing costs£1,368 per month Average monthly private rent, August 2026Rent is the largest single cost for many households, and buying a home now takes far more years of pay than it did. When housing takes too much of income, other essentials are squeezed and some households fall behind, cannot save a deposit or lose their home.8 actions · 5 gaps in the evidenceSee the problem Food15,343 parcels Emergency food parcels from Trussell food banks, 2025Some households cannot afford enough food and rely on food banks, pantries or free school and holiday meals.3 actions · 2 gaps in the evidenceSee the problem Making ends meet44% of residents surveyed were less able to meet day-to-day costs, 2025When income does not keep up with everyday costs, households cut back, borrow or need emergency help.2 actions · 3 gaps in the evidenceSee the problem

Sources: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026 · ons.gov.uk ↗ · retrieved 23 Sept 2026 · Trussell (charity) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗ · retrieved 10 Nov 2026

Across all of them: Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026-2028 and Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The issue in five minutes

The problems
Energy costs · Rent and housing costs · Food · Making ends meet. Affects: Low-income households, private renters, families with children and older people on fixed incomes.
Who says so
Trussell (charity); residents’ surveys.
What’s being done
  • Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026-2028Deliver twelve tasks under four priorities: maximising household income, strengthening the local safety net, increasing opportunities and improving wellbeing, and using data to support partnership working.Lead Health and Wellbeing Board In progress · evidence 23 September 2026
  • Crisis and Resilience FundRun the Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029: crisis payments, housing payments, grants to local resilience services and community coordination.Lead Portsmouth City Council In progress · evidence 13 October 2026
    Funded by
    • Funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government £3,691,344 · Revenue grant, 2026/27
Show the other 1
  • Warm Homes: Local GrantLead the Warm Homes: Local Grant for Portsmouth and 31 other councils, paying for home energy improvements, delivered locally by Switched On Portsmouth.Lead Portsmouth City Council In progress · evidence 10 November 2026
    Funded by
    • Funded by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero £34,807,254 · Whole 32-council consortium, not Portsmouth alone

All 10 official commitments on this issue → · funding and delivery in the tracker →

Wider context

UK Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness (11 December 2025, England) sets national policy; the council’s strategy (2024–2029) predates it and the 2026/27 grant is the local delivery route. Source ↗

Get help now
What is still missing
6 items not yet published or reported

Not yet published for the work above:

  • Council Tax Support caseload and awards by area (only a city-wide value of the support is published) (Freedom of Information request)
  • Crisis and Resilience Fund awards after the first five weeks (to about 1 June 2026) and the list of funded services (the council says the list will be added to its page)
  • A Portsmouth-only amount and the number of Portsmouth homes improved under Warm Homes: Local Grant (the award covers 32 councils)
  • Funding, progress measures and results for the Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026–28 (none stated in the records checked)
  • Plots, prices and release dates for shared ownership, Your First Home and First Homes at the major new-build schemes (none published at the 10 November 2026 check)
  • A current breakdown of Portsmouth homes by energy efficiency. Home age is now published by the Valuation Office Agency (31 March 2025; see gap-evidence.json), but energy certificates cover only homes built, sold or let in a year, so they are not a profile of all homes
Facts Count suggestion
Proposed by Facts Count Tell first-time buyers which new homes they could actually buy. Not costed. A suggestion, shown after the official response.
How we’ll know
The outcome measure for each problem
  • Energy costs: The share of households in fuel poverty compared with England each year. These are modelled estimates: the government advises using them for broad patterns, not small year-to-year changes.
  • Rent and housing costs: Private rent growth compared with England, read alongside pay growth over the same years; the house price to pay ratio and the deposit a typical buyer would need; and how many of the planned homes are finished, how many are affordable and which can be bought.
  • Food: Emergency food parcels each year compared with 2019, read alongside food bank capacity (the count covers one network only).
  • Making ends meet: The council survey’s share of residents less able to meet day-to-day costs, wave by wave (same wording since 2024), and Pension Credit uptake for older people.
The issue’s change label uses: Households in fuel poverty, compared over 3 years.

1 · The issue

What the evidence says

Who is affected: Low-income households, private renters, families with children and older people on fixed incomes.

  • Energy costs pressure Older homes may cost more to keep warm; the evidence is partial. Terraced houses were about 43% of Portsmouth households in 2021, over 46% of homes were built before 1919 on a 2008 council count (historical), and 61.9% of energy certificates lodged in 2025 were rated A to C, against 63.6% in England. Reviewed finding.opportunity Energy upgrade funding could also train and employ local people. Government grants for home energy upgrades have reached Portsmouth (£1,124,251 for council homes; a share of £34,807,254 across a 32-council consortium) and City of Portsmouth College has announced a £1.2 million construction training award. Reviewed finding.pressure More households in fuel poverty than England. 10,057 Portsmouth households (10.9%) were in fuel poverty in 2024, against 9.9% in England. Calculated from the latest official release by a stated rule: Fuel poverty rate at least 1 point from England in the same year (modelled estimates).
  • Rent and housing costs pressure Too few homes are reaching completion. Portsmouth delivered 308 homes against a requirement of 2,702 in the three-year housing test. Reviewed finding.risk Housing costs leave less for daily life. Average private rent was £1,368 a month in August 2026; the 2025 middle sale price was 7.22 times residents’ full-time annual pay. Reviewed finding.pressure Buying a home takes many more years of pay than in 2002. In 2025 the middle sale price was 7.22 times the middle full-time resident pay, up from 4.90 in 2002; entry-level homes cost 7.59 times entry-level pay, against 6.99 in England. Reviewed finding.risk More homes will need school, health and road capacity that is not yet secured. For the eight housing schemes checked, no school, SEND or GP obligation could be verified in the records read (10 November 2026), while homes delivered were 11% of the housing requirement. Reviewed finding.
Show the other 2 problems and findings
  • Food pressure More emergency food parcels than before the pandemic. Trussell food banks in Portsmouth gave out 15,343 emergency parcels in 2025, against 8,800 in 2019 (74% more). Calculated from the latest official release by a stated rule: Latest year’s parcels at least 25% above 2019 (relative change).
  • Making ends meet No calculated signal or reviewed finding yet; see the evidence on the problem page.
Linked risks in other issues (3)
  • Poverty, jobs and pay Low pay, insecure work and unemployment reduce what households have to spend on essentials. Latest: People claiming unemployment-related benefits 4.5% (September 2026). Pressures: Fewer new businesses starting.
  • Health and access to care Ill health and disability can cut income and add costs; hardship can also harm health. Latest: Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months 31.4% (June 2026). Pressures: Health gaps remain large within the city; Life expectancy at birth (men): worse than England; Life expectancy at birth (women): worse than England; Adult smoking prevalence (adults): worse than England.
  • Homes and homelessness Too few homes being completed, including homes first-time buyers can afford, keeps prices and rents high. Latest: Households in temporary accommodation, per 1,000 households 6.9 per 1,000 households (31 March 2026). Pressures: Too few homes are reaching completion; Housing costs leave less for daily life; Buying a home takes many more years of pay than in 2002; More homes will need school, health and road capacity that is not yet secured.

Linked because each affects household budgets; the figures are on each issue’s page.

2 · The evidence

The figures

One data set for each problem, each with its own source and dates. Open a trend, or go to the problem for the full evidence and what is being done.

Energy costs

10.9% Households in fuel poverty 2024 · 1 percentage point higher than England (9.9%) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

Show the trend

Households in fuel poverty

2019 to 2024

Portsmouth · %

Reviewed figures: 2019 to 2024.

Shown on this chart: From 2019 to 2024, households in fuel poverty rose by 0.2 percentage points in Portsmouth and fell by 3.5 percentage points in England.

Both places compared over 2019 to 2024, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth; England.

Actual values

PortsmouthEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

Full evidence and what is being done →

Rent and housing costs

£1,368 per month Average monthly private rent August 2026 ons.gov.uk ↗ · retrieved 23 Sept 2026

Show the trend

Average monthly private rent over time

January 2015 to August 2026

Portsmouth council area · Cash prices, before allowing for inflation

Reviewed figures: January 2015 to August 2026.

Shown on this chart: From January 2015 to August 2026, average monthly rent rose by 63.8% in Portsmouth council area and rose by 53.6% in England.

Both places compared over January 2015 to August 2026, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth council area; England.

Actual values

Portsmouth council areaEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Full history context

Average monthly rent rose from £835 to £1,368 between January 2015 and August 2026.

August 2025 to August 2026: £31 more a month (2.3% higher).

Cash prices, before allowing for inflation. Changes do not show affordability without local earnings and household circumstances.

Source: Office for National Statistics / HM Land… ↗ · retrieved 17 Oct 2026

Full evidence and what is being done →

Food

15,343 parcels Emergency food parcels from Trussell food banks 2025 Trussell (charity) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

Show the trend

Emergency food parcels from Trussell food banks

2018 to 2025

Portsmouth · parcels

Reviewed figures: 2018 to 2025.

Shown on this chart: From 2018 to 2025, emergency food parcels from Trussell food banks rose by 115.5% in Portsmouth and rose by 88.9% in England.

Both places compared over 2018 to 2025, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth; England.

Change since 2018 (%)

PortsmouthEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: Trussell (charity) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

Full evidence and what is being done →

Making ends meet

44% of residents surveyed were less able to meet day-to-day costs 2025 Portsmouth City Council ↗ · retrieved 10 Nov 2026

Show the trend
Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? “Less able, or cannot meet, day-to-day costs (sum of three options)” · Portsmouth residents’ research (Your City, Your Say) · Survey-based evidence
Table, wording and bases
Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living?
YearShareBaseQuestion and notes
202353%2,049 (weighted)What impact has the increase in the cost of living had on you being able to meet the day-to-day costs of living now? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 32% slightly less able, 18% much less able, 3% cannot meet. Wording differed from 2024 and 2025: it asked about the impact of rising costs, so treat the change as indicative. Source ↗
202441%1,235 (weighted)Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 30% slightly less able, 10% much less able, cannot meet not charted; the Wave 6 page states 41% and the Wave 7 page states 40% for 2024. Source ↗
202544%1,464 (weighted)Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 26% slightly less able, 14% much less able, 4% cannot meet. Source ↗

Full evidence and what is being done →

All the Portsmouth figures for this issue

UK FactsUK Facts · Deep diveCost of living across the UKThe national picture ↗
Latest national releases (6)

Claimant count · monthly

6,460 people, September 2026 · 4.5% against 4.1% for England (+0.4 points)

A year earlier (September 2025): 6,450 people, 4.5%.

Rate, October 2021 to September 2026: Portsmouth (dark) and England (light).

Source and limits
  • Claimants include people in work on low earnings who must look for more work under Universal Credit, so this is not an unemployment measure.
  • Rate differences are in percentage points.

Claimant count by sex and age ↗, Office for National Statistics and DWP (Nomis); retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

Households in fuel poverty · annual

10,057 households, 2024 · 10.9% against 9.9% for England (+1 points)

Count, 2024: Portsmouth.

Source and limits
  • Official statistics in development, modelled from the English Housing Survey for small areas; not suitable for comparing years.
  • England only.

Sub-regional fuel poverty data 2026 (2024 data) ↗, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

Emergency food parcels (Trussell network) · annual (calendar years)

15,343 parcels, 2025

A year earlier (2024): 18,752 parcels.

Count, 2018 to 2025: Portsmouth.

Source and limits
  • Counts parcels, not people: one person can receive several.
  • Covers Trussell food banks only; independent food banks, pantries and larders are not included. A zero or a fall can mean a change in the network, not in need.
  • Matched to the council by name, as the file has no area codes.

End of year stats: emergency food parcels ↗, Trussell; retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

Children, Families and Youth Grant · 2026/27

Children, Families and Youth Grant 2026-27£4,884,963
… of which Family First Partnership programme ringfence 2026-27£3,813,458
… of which holiday activities and food ringfence 2026-27£1,005,350

Holiday activities and food, expected split:

… of which expected HAF programme and admin spend£952,530
… of which expected LA capacity spend£52,820
Source and limits
  • Allocations, not spending.
  • The holiday activities and food (HAF) ringfence now includes money for council capacity on school-age childcare, so it is not directly comparable with earlier HAF grants.
  • Matched to the council by name.

Children, Families and Youth Grant Determination 2026 to 2027 ↗ · Holiday activities and food and local authority capacity support: 2026 financial year allocations ↗; retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

Charity grants to local organisations · as funders publish

45 grants, 2025

Worth £158,324 in 2025.

Latest grants
  • Spark Community Space: £9,841 (Including Communities, 2025-11-25)
  • Portsmouth Gynae Cancer Support Group: £1,070 (Including Communities, 2025-11-25)
  • The Parenting Network CIC: £10,000 (Including Communities, 2025-11-25)
  • Mustard Seed Ministries: £8,651.13 (Including Communities, 2025-11-25)
  • HOPE (Portsmouth): £7,000 (Invited grant, 2025-11-14)
  • Citizens Advice Solent East (CASE): £9,000 (Invited grant, 2025-11-14)
  • North End Baptist Church: £5,000 (Invited grant, 2025-11-14)
  • EC Roberts Centre: £1,177.5 (Invited grant, 2025-07-25)
  • Creatful CIC: £2,220 (Portsmouth City Community, 2025-07-14)
  • Aggie Weston's (formerly known as Royal Sailors Rest): £839.51 (Montagu Neville Durnford & St Leo Cawthan, 2025-07-08)
  • Music Fusion: £5,000 (Portsmouth City Community, 2025-07-07)
  • Grace to Restore Ltd: £5,000 (Portsmouth City Community, 2025-07-07)

Count, 2025: Portsmouth.

Source and limits
  • Only funders that publish to 360Giving, and only grants whose published location names this council; grants to individuals are excluded by the publishers.
  • Awards, not spending; amounts as published.

360Giving API: grants made ↗, 360Giving; retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

Renewable energy and storage projects in the planning system · Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD): July 2026 (CSV)

Which renewable energy and battery projects of 150 kW or more are proposed, consented, being built or operating in Portsmouth?

ProjectTypeMWStatusPlanning reference
Portsmouth ERF · VeoliaEfW Incineration14Operational (consented 15/10/2001)A*29026/AF
Paulsgrove Landfill Site · Associated Energy Projects plcLandfill Gas2.4Operational (consented 29/07/1996)—
MMD Shipping Services · EvoEnergySolar Photovoltaics1.2Operational (consented 12/09/2014)14/00830/FUL
Lakeside Business Park · Custom Solar LimitedSolar Photovoltaics4.5Under Construction (consented 01/11/2022)22/00487/FUL
Lakeside Business Park · Custom Solar LimitedBattery2Under Construction (consented 01/11/2022)22/00487/FUL
Portsmouth International Port - Solar Panels · Portsmouth City CouncilSolar Photovoltaics1.2Under Construction (consented 20/06/2023)21/00717/FUL
Farlington Water Treatment Works, Gillman Road - Solar Panels · Portsmouth Water LimitedSolar Photovoltaics3.68Awaiting Construction (consented 25/11/2022)22/01237/CPL
Harwin Engineers - Solar Panels · Harwin EngineersSolar Photovoltaics0.89Awaiting Construction (consented 12/05/2026)26/00336/PA
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road - Solar Panels · Equans Services LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.87Awaiting Construction (consented 15/01/2026)25/01206/PA
Trafalgar Wharf Hamilton Road - Solar Panels · Trafalgar Workspaces LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.7Awaiting Construction (consented 23/05/2022)22/00470/PN
Gunwharf Quays Shopping Centre - Solar Panels · Land Securities Properties LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.64Awaiting Construction (consented 19/06/2023)22/01741/FUL
Broad Oak Works, Airport Service Road - Solar Panels · BAE SystemsSolar Photovoltaics0.57Awaiting Construction (consented 31/01/2023)22/01751/PA
Sainsburys, Fitzherbert Road - Solar Panels · Sainsburys Supermarkets LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.54Awaiting Construction (consented 20/02/2025)25/00013/PA
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road - Solar Canopy · Queen Alexandra Hospitals TrustSolar Photovoltaics0.54Awaiting Construction (consented 03/02/2026)25/01399/CPL
St Marys Hospital, Milton Road - Solar Panels · Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustSolar Photovoltaics0.46Awaiting Construction (consented 23/03/2026)26/00105/FUL
SGN, Walton Park - Solar Panels · Southern Gas NetworksSolar Photovoltaics0.29Awaiting Construction (consented 07/02/2023)23/00011/PA
Mountbatten Centre, Twyford Avenue - Solar Panels · Portsmouth City CouncilSolar Photovoltaics0.27Awaiting Construction (consented 12/05/2023)23/00347/PA
David Lloyd Club, The Boardwalk - Solar Panels · David Lloyd Leisure LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.27Awaiting Construction (consented 12/10/2023)23/00908/PN
Phoenix Healthcare, Jackson Close - Solar Panels · Phoenix MedicalSolar Photovoltaics0.24Awaiting Construction (consented 10/03/2025)24/01526/PN
Warehouse, Gunstore Road - Solar Panels · Tomburn LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.18Awaiting Construction (consented 13/01/2023)22/01664/PA
Castle View Academy, Allaway Avenue - Solar Panels · Solar Options for Schools LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.18Awaiting Construction (consented 15/06/2026)26/00441/PA
Big Yellow Self Storage, Rodney Road - Solar Panels · Big Yellow Group PlcSolar Photovoltaics0.17Awaiting Construction (consented 26/10/2022)22/00014/PA
Ark Charter Academy, Hyde Park Road - Solar Panels · Solar Options for Schools LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.16Awaiting Construction (consented 15/07/2025)25/00554/PA
St James Hospital Solent Nhs Trust, Locksway Road - Energy Centre · Solent NHS TrustBattery—Awaiting Construction (consented 06/12/2022)22/01343/FUL
Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill Road - Battery Energy Storage System · Voltwise Power Holdings LimitedBattery120Application Submitted25/00797/FUL
St Marys Hospital, Milton Road -Solar Panels · Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation TrustSolar Photovoltaics0.46Application Submitted25/01352/PA
Venture Park, Limberline Road - Solar Panels · PolarkoldSolar Photovoltaics—Application Submitted26/00554/PA
Harwin, Marshland Spur - Solar Panels · Harwin LimitedSolar Photovoltaics0.46Application Refused25/01368/PA
Harwin Engineers - Solar Panels · Harwin EngineersSolar Photovoltaics0.93Revised25/01367/PA
Venture Park, Limberline Road - Solar Panels · PolarkoldSolar Photovoltaics—Revised26/00110/PA
Source and limits
  • Covers projects of 150 kW and above that need planning permission; small rooftop systems are not included.
  • The database can lag operators’ own announcements; a status is as at the extract date.
  • Battery power (MW) is not storage capacity (MWh).

Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract ↗; retrieved 2026-11-10. Data (JSON)

3 · What residents say

Residents’ evidence

5 surveys

Council consultation: 35% of 1,698 respondents put “working to support individuals and families struggling to make ends meet” in their top five priorities for the council (rank 3 of the published five; 16 August to 14 September 2025; people chose to take part). How residents ranked priorities →

Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? “Less able, or cannot meet, day-to-day costs (sum of three options)” · Portsmouth residents’ research (Your City, Your Say) · Survey-based evidence
Table, wording and bases
Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living?
YearShareBaseQuestion and notes
202353%2,049 (weighted)What impact has the increase in the cost of living had on you being able to meet the day-to-day costs of living now? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 32% slightly less able, 18% much less able, 3% cannot meet. Wording differed from 2024 and 2025: it asked about the impact of rising costs, so treat the change as indicative. Source ↗
202441%1,235 (weighted)Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 30% slightly less able, 10% much less able, cannot meet not charted; the Wave 6 page states 41% and the Wave 7 page states 40% for 2024. Source ↗
202544%1,464 (weighted)Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 26% slightly less able, 14% much less able, 4% cannot meet. Source ↗

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Cost-of-living issues

    17%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 17.2%.

  • “Do you know where to go for support with the cost of living?” Answer: Yes

    38%

    Self-selected responses · 1,464 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 15 August to 14 September 2025 · Portsmouth City Council ↗

    Survey-based evidence. 38% yes, 38% no, 23% unsure. This asks where to go for support in general, not about the council’s cost-of-living hub or helpline. Earlier waves asked a different question, so there is no trend.

All residents’ survey results →

4 · Who is acting

Official commitments and projects

10 official commitments · 9 with dated evidence

Formal commitments by public bodies, with their original decision. Stages without dated evidence are hatched, never filled.

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Approved

Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029

Adopt and deliver a five-aim homelessness strategy: prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping, provide the right housing, provide the right support and strengthen joint working, measured by a published suite of measures.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, February 2024: Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029 ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made February 2024 · due 2029 · Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029 ↗

1 dated record
  1. February 2024 milestone Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029 published. source ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Crisis and Resilience Fund

Run the Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029: crisis payments, housing payments, grants to local resilience services and community coordination.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 13 October 2026: Crisis and Resilience Fund ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government £3,691,344 · Revenue grant, 2026/27 (year one of three)

Made 1 April 2026 · due 31 March 2029 · Crisis and Resilience Fund ↗

6 dated records
  1. 1 April 2026 milestone Crisis and Resilience Fund began, running to 31 March 2029. source ↗
  2. 8 May 2026 milestone Government grant determination allocated £3,691,344 to Portsmouth for 2026/27, paid in monthly instalments. source ↗
  3. 31 August 2026 output 1,012 crisis payment applications received and 428 awards made, totalling £139,707; 323 applications were declined as ineligible. source ↗
  4. 23 September 2026 output 33 resilience grants awarded, worth £748,392, from 47 applications; 90% of the money falls in the fund’s first year. source ↗
  5. 13 October 2026 milestone Council states it has allocated over £1.5 million to local resilience services and over £400,000 to community coordination; funded services not yet listed. source ↗
  6. 13 October 2026 milestone The council reports allocating over £1.5 million to resilience services (food, advice, energy, wellbeing, housing and homelessness help) and over £400,000 to community coordination, which funds the Cost of Living Hub and helpline. These are parts of the fund, not additions to it; the funded services had not yet been listed. source ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Not verified

Corporate Plan 2024-2026

Provide support for people struggling with the cost of living.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

No dated evidence of progress has been found; stages are shown hatched.

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made October 2024 · due 2026 · Corporate Plan 2024-2026 (Council Plan 2024) ↗

Show the other 7 official commitments

Committed by Health and Wellbeing Board In progress

Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026-2028

Deliver twelve tasks under four priorities: maximising household income, strengthening the local safety net, increasing opportunities and improving wellbeing, and using data to support partnership working.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 23 September 2026: Health and Wellbeing Board, 23 September 2026, item 9: Tackling poverty in Portsmouth ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made 4 March 2026 · due 2028 · Health and Wellbeing Board, 4 March 2026: Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026-28 (report and Appendix 1) ↗

2 dated records
  1. 4 March 2026 milestone Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026-2028 presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board, for information. source ↗
  2. 23 September 2026 milestone Delivery update against the twelve tasks presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board. Reported figures cover outputs, not changes in hardship. source ↗

Committed by UK Government Funded

Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant 2026/27

Pay Portsmouth a homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse grant for 2026/27, on condition that the council publishes a homelessness action plan and reports on its use.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 8 May 2026: Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant Determination 2026/27 [No 31/8380] ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government £4,101,246 · Revenue grant, 2026/27

Made 8 May 2026 · due 31 March 2027 · £4,101,246 (Grant determination 31/8380, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Not to be added to the Rough Sleeping Programme funding) · Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant Determination 2026/27 [No 31/8380] ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Approved

Private rented housing enforcement

Apply an updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and Civil Financial Penalty Policy, reflecting the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, to breaches and offences from 1 November 2026.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 20 October 2026: Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport, 20 October 2026: recorded decision ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made 20 October 2026 · Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport, 20 October 2026: Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and Civil Penalty Policy amendments ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Warm Homes: Local Grant

Lead the Warm Homes: Local Grant for Portsmouth and 31 other councils, paying for home energy improvements, delivered locally by Switched On Portsmouth.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 10 November 2026: Warm Homes Local Grant ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero £34,807,254 · Whole 32-council consortium, not Portsmouth alone

Made 2 July 2026 · £34,807,254 (Award to the whole consortium (government list updated 2 July 2026); no Portsmouth-only figure is published) · Warm Homes: Local Grant – successful local authorities ↗

1 dated record
  1. 10 November 2026 milestone Switched On Portsmouth: the scheme is oversubscribed and no longer taking applications; a waiting list is open while a further government funding decision is awaited. source ↗

Committed by UK Government In progress

First Homes scheme

Let first-time buyers in England buy eligible homes for 30% to 50% below market value, with household income up to £80,000 and a price cap of £250,000 after the discount outside London; councils may set local criteria for the first three months of sale.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 17 October 2024: First Homes scheme: first-time buyer’s guide ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Developers (discount on the sale price) Amount not stated · The discount is given by the developer on new homes, usually through planning agreements; not a government grant

Made 28 February 2022 · First Homes scheme: first-time buyer’s guide ↗

Not yet published:

  • No Portsmouth First Homes local criteria, price cap or number of homes sold was found on the council’s pages (searched 10 November 2026).
  • Whether a new site includes First Homes depends on its planning agreement. Councils’ published notes say national policy stopped requiring a First Homes share of affordable homes in December 2024; this was not confirmed from the current planning framework text. A developer listing the scheme elsewhere does not mean its Portsmouth sites offer it.

Committed by UK Government In progress

Right to Buy (council tenants)

Let eligible council tenants buy their Portsmouth Homes property at a discount, after at least three years as a public sector tenant (or in armed forces accommodation); some homes, such as specialist housing for older or disabled people, are excluded.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 10 November 2026: Buying a Portsmouth Homes property (Right to Buy) ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Portsmouth City Council (discount on the sale price) Amount not stated · Discount depends on tenancy length, property type and value, and may be reduced under cost-floor rules

Made 10 November 2026 · Buying a Portsmouth Homes property (Right to Buy) ↗

Not yet published:

  • How many Right to Buy sales Portsmouth completes each year (published nationally by the government; not yet added here).
  • Each sale reduces the council’s stock of homes for rent; replacement is not reported alongside sales.

Committed by UK Government Approved

Your First Home (equity loan, from 2027)

Help first-time buyers buy an eligible new-build home in England with a deposit of at least 2.5%, a repayment mortgage and a government equity loan of 20% of the price, interest free for five years.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 3 November 2026: Your First Home ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by UK Government Amount not stated · Equity loans of 20% of each purchase price; total budget not stated on the guidance page

Made 28 October 2026 · due February 2027 · Your First Home ↗

Not yet published:

  • Applications are expected from February 2027; eligible homes, participating developers and lenders are not yet published.
  • Whether homes in Portsmouth will qualify depends on developers taking part and on local price caps.

Every action on this issue, including other organisations and political proposals, in the explorer →

Signals from the latest official data

Signals from the latest official data

Computed automatically from each new national release by a fixed rule, then linked to the actions on the same issue. A signal is not an editorial finding; reviewed findings are listed separately.

PressureComputed signal · 2024

More households in fuel poverty than England

10,057 Portsmouth households (10.9%) were in fuel poverty in 2024, against 9.9% in England.

Rule: Fuel poverty rate at least 1 point from England in the same year (modelled estimates). Limit: Official statistics in development, modelled from the English Housing Survey for small areas; not suitable for comparing years. Source ↗

Action plan for this signal: 10 official actions, 5 other projects, 2 Facts Count proposals

Whether these actions are enough is not judged automatically. See The cost of living for the evidence and outcome measure.

PressureComputed signal · 2025

More emergency food parcels than before the pandemic

Trussell food banks in Portsmouth gave out 15,343 emergency parcels in 2025, against 8,800 in 2019 (74% more).

Rule: Latest year’s parcels at least 25% above 2019 (relative change). Limit: Covers Trussell food banks only; independent food banks, pantries and larders are not included. A zero or a fall can mean a change in the network, not in need. Source ↗

Action plan for this signal: 10 official actions, 5 other projects, 2 Facts Count proposals

Whether these actions are enough is not judged automatically. See The cost of living for the evidence and outcome measure.

Projects by other organisations

In the city · housingFunded

Portsmouth Homes: social housing energy retrofit (Wave 3)

Insulation and energy upgrades to council homes under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth City Council
Stage
Grant offered and accepted, listed by the government on 27 November 2025. (27 November 2025, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3: successful social housing landlords ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Council homes across the city · Council housing stock in Portsmouth.
Funding
  • Funded by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant: £1.12m · Wave 3 grant; council co-funding not stated here source ↗
What would show it worked
Output: Homes upgraded. Outcome: Energy ratings and bills of upgraded homes.
Next check
Homes completed and council co-funding (the council report giving up to 200 homes and a £1.7m bid could not be read).
In the city · housingApproved

Portsmouth Homes heat network upgrade

New heat interface units, heat meters and radiator valves in four pairs of council blocks, plus energy centre works.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth City Council
Stage
Planned: contractor appointment from August 2026, works from December 2026, estimated completion May 2028. No record yet that the contractor was appointed. (10 November 2026, Heat network upgrade project ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Four pairs of council blocks and the energy centre · Council housing in the city.
Funding
No funding published.
Next check
Contractor appointment and start of works.
In the city · otherUnder way

Holiday Activities and Food: Fun Pompey

Free holiday activities and meals in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, mainly for school-age children on benefits-related free school meals. From 2026/27 the grant also funds the council’s planning for school-age childcare.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth City Council
Stage
In 2025: 23,605 places offered and 89% attendance across funded spaces (spring 93%, summer 97%, winter 79%). Unique children reached: 2,553 in spring, 5,621 in summer (1,543 with SEND) and 1,273 in winter; these should not be added together. Feeding Britain’s £7,200 funded 600 summer and 120 October places for children outside HAF eligibility. (1 June 2026, HAF Fun Pompey Annual Report 2025 ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Venues across the city · Portsmouth children; venues across the city.
Funding
  • Funded by Department for Education Grant: £1.01m · 2026/27 HAF ringfence: £952,530 programme and administration, £52,820 council capacity for school-age childcare. Not directly comparable with 2025/26, whose scope was narrower source ↗
  • Funded by Department for Education Grant: £971,550 · 2025/26 HAF grant (earlier scope) source ↗
  • Funded by Feeding Britain Grant: £7,200 · 2025: £6,000 for 600 summer places and £1,200 for 120 October half-term places, for children outside HAF eligibility source ↗
What would show it worked
Output: Places offered and attended; unique children by season. Outcome: Whether venues, hours and SEND support meet working families’ childcare needs (not yet measured).
Next check
2026 annual report; the national settlement runs to 2028/29.
1 earlier value
  • 8 May 2026: HAF grant was “£971,550 (2025/26)”, now “£1,005,350 (2026/27, now including childcare capacity)” (source)
Show the other 2 projects
In the city · educationUnder way

Free breakfast clubs in Portsmouth schools

Government-funded free breakfast clubs in primary schools.

Whose project
Run by Department for Education with Court Lane Junior Academy, Cottage Grove Primary, Cliffdale Primary Academy, Stamshaw Junior and Mayfield
Stage
Five Portsmouth schools are on the Department for Education’s September 2026 list. (6 July 2026, Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme (September 2026) ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Five Portsmouth schools · Schools in the city.
Funding
No funding published.
Next check
Next wave of schools.
In the city · housingUnder way

Tipner East (Victory Quay): 835 homes on the former Pounds scrapyard

VIVID is building about 835 homes, two to ten storeys, with at least 30% (about 251) intended as affordable rent and shared ownership, plus new sea defences, a coastal path and cycleway, on the former scrapyard at Tipner East.

Whose project
Run by VIVID (housing association) with Portsmouth City Council, Homes England, PMC (contractor)
Stage
Site preparation and groundwork were under way by September 2025; VIVID expected first homes in late 2026 (estimate; no completion verified). Highway improvements are tied to occupation of the 180th home (August 2025 variation, reported). (1 September 2025, Victory Quay construction update (2025) ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Tipner East, by the M275 · Site in the city (Nelson ward area).
Funding
  • Funded by UK Government (City Deal) and Homes England Amount not stated · Part of the government’s City Deal; amounts not stated in the article source ↗
What would show it worked
Output: Homes completed, and how many are affordable (VIVID’s stated minimum is 30%, about 251).
Next check
Signed Section 106 deed (2025 variation) and current affordable obligation; first completions; which homes are shared ownership and when plots and prices are released. See /housing-sites/victory-quay/.
1 earlier value
  • 10 November 2026: stageDetail was “Land remediation almost complete and sea-wall works starting in September 2024; about five years expected to build all 835 homes. No later dated progress record has been added.”, now “Site preparation and groundwork were under way by September 2025; VIVID expected first homes in late 2026 (estimate; no completion verified). Highway improvements are tied to occupation of the 180th home (August 2025 variation, reported).” (source)
5 · What could change

Proposals

2 proposals

Facts Count proposals are suggestions, labelled as ours. Stages are a suggested sequence, not deadlines.

Proposed by Facts Count

Tell first-time buyers which new homes they could actually buy

Publish, scheme by scheme, which new homes are shared ownership, Your First Home, First Homes or full-price sale, with prices, release dates and local-connection rules, so residents can plan a purchase years ahead.

EstimateAllocatedSpentUnknown

Proposed lead: Portsmouth City Council housing and planning teams, drawing on information from developers and registered providers, as a proposal

First step: Anyone could start now by listing each scheme with its seller’s link and the date checked, using the Facts Count developments research as the starting list, and then ask the council to adopt or correct it.

Issue: The cost of living, Homes and homelessness

Proposed by Facts Count

Make home energy upgrades also create local jobs and training

When public money pays for insulation, heat networks and other upgrades to Portsmouth’s older homes, ask that local firms, apprentices and the City of Portsmouth College’s construction courses are part of the delivery plan, and publish who did the work and how many homes were improved.

EstimateAllocatedSpentUnknown

Proposed lead: Portsmouth City Council housing, energy and procurement teams, with City of Portsmouth College, as a proposal

First step: The council could publish the delivery partners and homes upgraded for Wave 3 now and ask for the Portsmouth share of the Local Grant to be stated.

Issue: The cost of living, Poverty, jobs and pay

Proposals and votes by parties, councillors and MPs

What others have proposed on this issue and what happened to it. A pledge or campaign is not a decision.

Budget amendmentDefeated

Reform UK group amendment: a smaller council tax rise

Proposed by
Proposed by Reform UK group
Where and when
Full Council budget meeting, 24 February 2026
What was proposed
Raise council tax by 3.49% (1.49% general and the 2% adult social care precept) instead of 4.99%; add a veterans’ hardship fund of £50,000 in each of 2026/27 and 2027/28; and give £100,000 of children’s activity grants in 2026/27, £20,000 each to the John Pounds, Fratton, Buckland and Stamshaw centres and the Stacy Centre.
Who can deliver it
Portsmouth City Council
The money
Revenue. The amendment would have cut £1,821,000 from the Civic Futures budget alongside the lower council tax rise.
Outcome
9 for · 28 against · 4 abstained (counted from the named votes)
What has happened since
Not adopted. The approved budget kept the 4.99% council tax rise. Full Council, 24 February 2026, minute 10: Budget and Council Tax 2026/27 (recorded votes) ↗

Note: The extra spending was revenue (day-to-day), not capital.

Source: Full Council, 24 February 2026: minutes with Appendices 1 to 3 (budget amendments), confirmed on 17 March 2026 ↗, Appendix 1, table ii) and footnote 1, pack page 20. Checked 10 November 2026.

Election pledgeNot a decision

Portsmouth Labour local election pledges 2026

Proposed by
Proposed by Portsmouth Labour
Where and when
Local election pledges, published 19 April 2026
What was proposed
Build more genuinely affordable homes, including social housing; continue to challenge the spread of HMOs to keep communities mixed and balanced; more council-owned temporary accommodation; cheaper and more frequent buses; hardship support; more CCTV and accessible play equipment.
Who can deliver it
Portsmouth City Council, with bus operators for bus services
The money
No costs given.
Outcome
Election pledge: not put to a council vote.
What has happened since
A pledge, not a decision. CCTV and accessible play also appear in Labour’s budget amendment adopted on 24 February 2026, before the pledges were published.

Source: Portsmouth Labour Local Election Pledges 2026 ↗, “A home for everyone” and “Better travel for everyone across our city”. Checked 10 November 2026.

All proposals and votes →

6 · How we’ll know

What would show progress

No clear change
  • Outcome: Households in fuel poverty, latest against 3 years earlier; changes smaller than 1.7 are treated as no clear change. Now: no clear change.
  • Tell first-time buyers which new homes they could actually buy: Public buyer table for major schemes; Schemes with route, price and release date published; House price to residents’ pay; Illustrative deposit and repayment as a share of gross pay; Homes sold or let through each buying route.
  • Make home energy upgrades also create local jobs and training: Homes upgraded by programme; Energy certificates rated A to C, lodged in the year; Households in fuel poverty; Local jobs and apprenticeship starts on retrofit contracts; Local firms delivering retrofit work.

What is not yet known

  • Council Tax Support caseload and awards by area (only a city-wide value of the support is published) (requested under Freedom of Information)
  • Crisis and Resilience Fund awards after the first five weeks (to about 1 June 2026) and the list of funded services (the council says the list will be added to its page) (not published)
  • A Portsmouth-only amount and the number of Portsmouth homes improved under Warm Homes: Local Grant (the award covers 32 councils) (not published)
  • Funding, progress measures and results for the Tackling Poverty Action Plan 2026–28 (none stated in the records checked) (not published)
  • Plots, prices and release dates for shared ownership, Your First Home and First Homes at the major new-build schemes (none published at the 10 November 2026 check) (not published)
  • A current breakdown of Portsmouth homes by energy efficiency. Home age is now published by the Valuation Office Agency (31 March 2025; see gap-evidence.json), but energy certificates cover only homes built, sold or let in a year, so they are not a profile of all homes (not published)

Cost of living is featured by editorial choice. Other issues follow the order respondents gave the council in its 2025 budget consultation, a survey people chose to take part in; it describes respondents, not all residents.