Jeremy Hunt has announced a six-month extension to the household support fund, a “lifeline for families” which provides cash and vouchers for essentials.
As millions go hungry and cold, Hunt had been urged to extend the support, and made the move in his Spring Budget
Hunt said: “I have decided that with the battle against inflation still not over, now is not the time to stop the targeted help.”
More than 170 councils in England had called for Hunt to extend the household support fund. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England, said families risked falling into crisis, homelessness, and poverty without an extension
“The household support fund has provided a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable residents during the rising cost of living,” said councillor Pete Marland, chair of the LGA’s resources board.
“Many at-risk households continue to face considerable challenges in meeting essential living costs, with demand for support greater than when the fund was first introduced.