Brighton council offer loans to support staff with housing

It will see interest-free loans offered to staff to help with housing costs.

The scheme, a first for Brighton and Hove City Council, hopes to inspire other employers in the city to support their staff with pay and benefits that can help people in need and retain workers in the city.

it aims to help staff avoid the need for high-cost personal loans by offering an interest-free loan to pay for the deposit asked for upfront by letting agents or landlords when renting a property.

Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, leader of the council, said: “The cost of living is one of the biggest concerns for people in Brighton and Hove and across the country at the moment.

“The stark reality for many is that wages are simply not keeping pace with rising inflation and soaring energy bills.

“We want to do what we can for everyone in the city at this challenging time and that applies to council staff as well. The council’s ‘People Promise’ outlines many of the ways we as an employer value staff and I intend to keep listening to staff and unions to improve the offer.

“The new rental deposit scheme, alongside a wide range of other employee benefits, means the council can continue to be a caring employer and help staff to do their best for the city.

“In a competitive labour market, of course, some of that’s about fair pay, but it’s also about other benefits that help.”

The scheme is available to all council staff from their first day of employment, except for those on short-term or casual contracts, with staff repaying the loan over an agreed number of months directly from their salary, subject to eligibility and approval.

A model scheme will also shortly be available to all council schools should they wish to offer it as an option for their own staff.

Alongside being a Living Wage employer, the council also offers its staff loans for large purchases, an additional annual leave purchase scheme, as well as professional and personal skill development.