With the government’s Autumn Statement 2022 announced today, budgeting and finances continue to be front and centre in many people’s minds.

We’ve gathered details of where you can access local and national help and support with the cost of living.

The Budget and Finance section includes information about:

• Cost of living payments and other support from central government
• The Household Support Fund available through our Community Hub
• Citizens Advice debt and money advice service
• District and Borough council contacts if you are struggling to pay your council tax
• Age UK’s free money advice, including maximising your benefits.

Many areas of West Sussex were affected by flooding last night.

Keep one step ahead of the rain by checking out our flooding update pages where you'll find the latest information on issues across the county.

On these webpages you'll find details of which areas are affected or likely to be affected by flooding, road closures, and advice on how to take action if you are at risk of flooding.

Covid-19 and flu spread quickly in winter and can cause serious illness.

Vaccinations are our best protection against the viruses and will help keep you, and those around you safe this winter.

Even if you’ve had all your Covid-19 vaccinations or had the virus itself, your immunity decreases over time and the latest booster provides extra protection against newer variants of the virus. It’s important to have your flu vaccine each year as well, to protect yourself against the circulating flu virus.

If you’re aged 50+, in an at-risk group, pregnant, or you’re a health and social care worker, you are eligible for a free flu and Covid-19 booster vaccine this winter.

It's safe to have both vaccines at the same time, but you need to book them separately.

For more information on how to book click on the link below.

We can all continue to protect ourselves and each other from Covid-19, colds, and flu viruses this winter by taking these simple steps:

• Wash hands and follow advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’
• Consider wearing a face covering in crowded indoor settings
• Give people space where possible
• Let in fresh air when appropriate.

You can also have your say on how you think the pandemic should be remembered via the Covid Commemoration consultation. Closing date: 5 December 2022.

Our West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has relaunched its thought-provoking road safety show for the first time since the pandemic, with a new interactive element.

Safe Drive Stay Alive, a driver awareness programme, returned to Chichester College this week and was delivered to around 3,000 students.

The programme has been shown to thousands of young people across the county since it first launched in 2006.

It brings to life difficult messages to make young people aware of their responsibilities on the road through the personal accounts of emergency services and members of the public, as they recall their first-hand experiences of road traffic collisions.

Delight your family and friends this Christmas by giving them a gift from right here in West Sussex.

From spa breaks and West Sussex sparkling wine, to gift vouchers and local attraction tickets, we’ve a whole sack full of inspiration for you!

Enter our Experience West Sussex competition and you could win yourself a sparkling treat in time for Christmas!

Glittering light shows, luxury afternoon teas and a local wine tour are the prizes on offer.

Closing date: 1 December 2022.

This week we’ve launched a new Climate Action Hub for residents in West Sussex - an online space to share ideas and views on ways to tackle climate change.

You can get involved by adding suggestions to the Ideas Bank or joining the Discussion Forum to talk about issues such as electric vehicles, recycling, biodiversity, and food waste. 

Not surprisingly, with winter fast approaching and household costs and bills soaring, the most current topic of conversation on the Hub is how households can reduce their energy use. 

If you’d like to learn more about what’s happening in West Sussex and how you can help reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably, you can also sign up to our monthly Environment & Climate Change eNewsletter.

This year, the Community Safety team are supporting White Ribbon Day on 25 November, which falls on the same week as the start of the men’s World Cup. The day aims to raise awareness of gender inequality and #TheGoal is that we all join together, to end violence against women and girls for good.

Football is not responsible for domestic abuse. However, research shows that when England loses a World Cup game, incidents of domestic abuse increase by 38% and by 28% when they win.

There is no excuse for abuse.

If you, or someone that you know is experiencing domestic abuse WORTH services are able to offer specialist support and advice on 0330 222 8181 Monday to Friday. Talk to us. We can help. In an emergency, call 999.

The Domestic Abuse Act also recognises children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. If you think a child is being harmed, abused or neglected, then you can report it online to the West Sussex Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Follow our @WSxCommsafety Facebook and Twitter pages to learn more about the issues, support services and how you can get involved.