£37 Million Boost for South West Households to Tackle Winter Hardships

Funding extended to help struggling families with essentials this winter

The Government has announced an additional £37 million to support struggling households in the South West as part of the extended Household Support Fund. The fund will provide urgent help with energy, water, and food bills from 1 October 2024, benefiting around 500,000 households in the region.

Support for 500,000 Households

This new funding, part of a wider £421 million extension across England, aims to assist families and individuals facing financial difficulties this winter. The fund, which will run until 31 March 2025, is designed to prevent households from experiencing a sudden drop in support during the colder months.

Approximately 300,000 children and 200,000 pensioners are currently living in relative poverty after housing costs in the South West. The Household Support Fund will provide essential relief for these vulnerable groups, covering the cost of essentials like food, energy, and water bills.

How to Apply

Residents in need of financial support can apply for help through their local council, which will distribute the funds based on the needs of their communities. Those interested in applying can find their local council and application details here.

Local authorities have been given the flexibility to allocate the funds according to local needs. This may include providing grants to charities and third-sector organisations that offer services like baby boxes, heating appliances, and school uniforms.

Government’s Commitment to Tackling Poverty

The extension of the Household Support Fund comes as part of the Government’s broader strategy to tackle poverty and support economic growth. Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, highlighted that this extra half a billion pounds aims to support families and pensioners in the South West who need it most during the tough winter ahead.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP said: 

“Despite all the problems we have inherited, this Government has invested an extra half a billion pounds in the Household Support Fund, so we can families and the poorest pensioners who need it most this winter.

“This £37 million boost will support families who need it in the South West with the costs of feeding children, heating homes, or helping people get to work.

“This comes alongside our work to fix the foundations of our country, grow the economy and deliver opportunities for people to get work and get on in work, so everyone feels better off.

The fund is just one aspect of the Government’s plan to address the root causes of poverty. Other measures include the Child Poverty Strategy and the Get Britain Working White Paper, which focuses on creating better job opportunities and helping people gain secure employment.

Allocations and Future Plans

The £37,564,628.40 allocated to the South West is part of a wider package estimated to be worth £500 million across England. Each local authority in the region will design and deliver their schemes based on local needs, with the full breakdown of funding to be published on the Government’s website in due course.

For more details on how to apply for the fund and to see if you qualify, visit your local council’s website.