£842 Million Boost to Help Vulnerable Brits with Food and Energy Bills
The government is cracking on with support as an extra £842 million Household Support Fund kicks in today (1 April 2023). The fresh cash aims to help England’s most vulnerable families tackle soaring food and energy costs through to March 2024.
Household Support Fund Gets £842 Million Top-Up
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing councils extra funds to reach those struggling most.
- Councils will decide how best to spend their share, targeting essentials like groceries, toiletries, warm clothes, and energy bills.
- This extension bumps the fund’s total value to a whopping £2 billion since launch.
Local Councils Take Charge
Money will be distributed based on where help is needed most. Councils know their communities and will reach out directly to provide tailored support.
Residents are urged to check their local council websites or call council offices to see what help is available in their area. You can also find how much funding your council received at the official government page.
DWP Minister: Fund Making Real Difference
Mims Davies MP, DWP Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, said: “This significant extension to the Government’s Household Support Fund is hugely welcome – as it has already helped millions of vulnerable families across England through these financially-testing times and will continue to do so over the next year.”
“Last week, I visited one council that is using their allocation to tackle everything from food insecurity to bed poverty. The fund has provided hundreds of cots and beds to vulnerable households, improving comfort and wellbeing.”
“This is just one example of the important locally led schemes providing tailored support to those that need it most in challenging times.”
“This fund is just one part of our extensive Cost of Living support package, complementing efforts to halve inflation – one of the Prime Minister’s top priorities – to bring prices down for everyone.”
Nearly £1 Billion for Devolved Nations
Alongside England’s boost, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have each received extra funding via the Barnett Formula. This brings the total new support package to almost £1 billion to help households across the UK get through these hard times.
With bills still rising, this fund offers a lifeline to families worried about feeding and heating their homes this winter and beyond.
