Swale Borough Council calls for extension of Household Support Fund

Swale Borough Council has become the latest authority to request an extension of the Household Support Fund beyond March.

The scheme was introduced to help the most vulnerable amid the cost of living crisis and is due to end on March 31st.

In January, Medway Council wrote to First Minister Jeremy Hunt asking for an extension beyond that date.

The government has announced increases to allowances, pensions and local housing allowance.

Swale Borough Council has written to the area’s two Conservative councilors, Gordon Henderson and Helen Whateley, urging them to join the campaign.

Since the fund was established in October 2021, £1.5m has been distributed to people and volunteer organizations across Swale, providing emergency food parcels, fuel vouchers and support with housing costs.

‘Big concern’

Council leader Tim Gibson said: “Many households who have accessed the fund have exhausted their options, are desperate and are at serious risk of harm or further crisis.”

“Without the Household Support Fund, these most vulnerable families in our community would have few options available to them, and this is of great concern to us.

“The council is facing a budget shortfall of over £1.3m and we will continue to do our best to help those in need, but unfortunately once this fund ends we will not be able to reach the same level as before. We will no longer be able to provide assistance.”

A government spokesperson said: “We are investing more than £2 billion into the Household Support Fund and around £800 million has already been paid to families with children to help them with their living costs.”

“The current funding is available until March 2024 as part of wider cost-of-living support worth an average of £3,700 per household, including a 6.7% rise in benefits from April and an increase in local housing benefit.”

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