People and communities
Central government cut £5 million of funding which supports Walsall’s most vulnerable households
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A central government fund which has supported 30,000 households, and awarded more than five-million pounds worth of support to the most financially vulnerable households in Walsall is due to cease on the 31 March 2024.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government grant designed to support low-income households with food and utility costs during the cost-of-living crisis. The funding is given to local councils in England, who set their own eligibility criteria and application process.
Launched in 2021, the fund supports households through various means, such as: Council Tax reductions, direct cash payments, boiler replacement schemes, and top up discretionary housing payments.
In 2023, Walsall Connected hubs received nearly 14,000 enquiries from residents about the Household Support Fund looking to access it and receive financial support.
As the cessation of the fund approaches, councillors at Walsall Council have written to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, to raise profound concerns about the implications this will have upon Walsall’s most vulnerable people and communities.
Councillor Mike Bird, Leader of Walsall Council and Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resilient Communities outlined in a letter to the Chancellor that the fund has prevented 450 families in Walsall becoming homeless since it was launched, and how the HSF delivers essential aid to residents to support them through crises.
The HSF can provide practical support such as assistance with purchasing essential furniture and appliances, but also other support such as access to counselling services and other professional help.
In their letter, councillors explained, “No family should ever face the agonising choice between heating their home or providing nourishment for their children, particularly not in the United Kingdom in 2024.
“The HSF has been a crucial lifeline to countless households, with £26 million grants disbursed to those struggling to afford basic necessities.
“As the deadline for the current funding approaches on 31 March, we implore you to extend the HSF for at least another year. Failure to do so will create a significant void in support that neither local government nor the voluntary sector can adequately address.”
More information about the Household Support Fund can be found on the Walsall Council website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund
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Notes to editors
Letter from Councillors Bird and Perry to Jeremy Hunt MP:
21st February 2024
Dear Chancellor
We are writing to express our profound concern regarding the future of the Household Support Fund (HSF).
No family should ever face the agonising choice between heating their home or providing nourishment for their children, particularly not in the United Kingdom in 2024. The HSF has been a crucial lifeline for countless households, with 26 million grants disbursed to those struggling to afford basic necessities.
As the deadline for the current funding approaches on 31 March, we implore you to extend the HSF for at least another year. Failure to do so will create a significant void in support that neither local government nor the voluntary sector can adequately address.
The HSF has empowered councils to deliver essential aid, including access to essentials, counselling, and practical assistance with items like furniture and appliances. Its impact is undeniable, with 62% of local welfare spending funded by the HSF in 2022/23, and demand continues to rise. In Walsall use of HSF has prevented 450 families from becoming homeless.
Recent research by Barnardo’s underscores the critical need for ongoing support, revealing a drastic increase in crisis requests for children's beds and bedding. Removing this vital safety net will have dire consequences for countless children, families, and individuals already teetering on the brink of financial ruin.
Too many households are precariously close to financial ruin, with a single unforeseen expense capable of tipping them over the edge. With 1 in 7 parents falling into arrears or overdrafts due to escalating costs and over 4.2 million children living in poverty, the need for sustained assistance is more urgent than ever.
Local authorities across the nation are already stretched thin, yet they continue to provide invaluable aid to those struggling to make ends meet. We cannot afford to let this support dwindle as the current round of HSF funding expires in March. Local governments require certainty and the ability to make long-term decisions to effectively serve their communities.
Therefore, we urge you to allocate funding for the Household Support Fund beyond March, ensuring that vulnerable families receive the assistance they so desperately need.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Garry Perry Councillor Mike Bird
Deputy Leader Resilient Communities Leader of the Council
Tel: 07903 888420 Tel: 07903 888250
Email: cllr.garry.perry@walsall.gov.uk Email: cllr.mike.bird@walsall.gov.uk
cc. Wendy Morton MP
Eddie Hughes MP
