Call for clarity on future of hardship funding

Wokingham Borough Council and its Hardship Alliance partners have called on the Government to continue its Household Support Fund (HSF).

The scheme helps the most vulnerable residents in the borough with the impacts of a higher cost of living and the Covid-19 pandemic in recent years.

But, despite lobbying from dozens of local government organisations and charities since the autumn, the Government is yet to confirm that the fund will continue in 2024/25.

The Alliance has now written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt calling for the fund to continue for the new financial year.

Supporting thousands of residents

Age UK Berkshire, Citizens Advice Wokingham, First Days Children’s Charity and Wokingham United Charities, the council’s partners in the Alliance, have helped make payments to thousands of people since the scheme launched in 2021.

As well as getting payments, residents are offered other support and advice by these organisations depending on their situation as part of the scheme locally.

In 2023/24, more than £1million has been used to support residents and projects to help those in hardship in the borough, including more than 2,400 children getting support with free school meals during the school holidays.

In November, the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee recommended continuing this vital local safety net for vulnerable and low-income residents across the country, but the Government has refused to confirm it will do so.

Now the council and its partners are calling for clarity on its future, urging the Government to continue to support those who are struggling the most locally.

Joint letter calling for clarity

In a joint letter, also sent to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride, co-signed by Hardship Alliance chair Amy Garstang, leader of the council Cllr Stephen Conway and executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, Cllr Rachel Bishop Firth, said:

“Continuing this funding is vital for our residents who are most vulnerable and have the lowest incomes. Ahead of the Spring Budget on 6 March, we still have no clarity or indication on the future of the funding. The lack of clarity means we are having to plan to begin to stand down our HSF infrastructure.

“It is critical we know the future of the HSF so we can plan ahead and have confidence it will be there to help our residents for the months ahead. Extending the fund is essential to help those struggling most in the area.

“Wokingham Borough Council and its Hardship Alliance partners have worked tirelessly to make best use of the funding. The group of local voluntary organisations and the council has worked together to use the funding for those who need it most since early 2022.”

Help with food, clothing, energy and other essentials

The Household Support Fund was established in 2021 and has been extended three times.

Money is paid to councils directly help vulnerable households with expenses such as food, clothing, energy and other essentials.

The Local Government Association, Barnardo’s, Joseph Roundtree Foundation, Trussell Trust and End Furniture Poverty are just some of the organisations calling for the Household Support Fund to continue.

All the latest cost of living help and advice for the borough can be found on the cost of living help hub.