Metro Mayor Dan Norris will learn how a £80,000 cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority he leads is helping Bath and NE Somerset residents on lower incomes save money during the cost-of-living crisis and go on to get good jobs next Wednesday.

Launching this month, 'Follow the Money' will help over 70 local people save money and gain new skills to find work. Over the course of the free nine-week programme participants will take a unique 'money health check' to help them to create a money-saving action plan with simple, achievable steps to improve their finances. Also on offer are skills workshops to improve job prospects, paid work placements and training with organisations including Age UK Bath.

Course leaders expect participants who take the 'money health check' to save around £1,000 per year. The Mayor will hear from local Mark Milsom who is taking part about why the scheme is so important.

Mayor Norris said it was important to back programmes like Follow the Money at a time when so many households are grappling with rocketing bills and prices. He said: "The cost-of-living crisis is biting harder than ever, and people are desperately worried about ever-rising bills, especially with the looming unprecedented energy price hike in October. I'm pleased to be able to give a helping hand to over 70 residents thanks to this £80,000 cash injection from the West of England Authority I lead".

Clean Slate Founder and Director Jeff Mitchell, who will be showing the Metro Mayor round on the day, added: "We are delighted to receive funding from the West of England Combined Authority which will be targeted towards people who have been hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. It's great to see leadership that recognises the cost-of-living emergency facing people in the West of England right now. Many of us are worried about the bills that will land in the Autumn and our Clean Slate Support Workers are ready to guide people through a comprehensive money health check and 9 week 'Follow the Money' programme with the aim to make significant financial gains".