Fears Hunt will remove lifeline fund for families

JEREMY Hunt has been urged not to axe a ‘vital fund’ which has been a ‘lifeline’ for vulnerable families in Greater Manchester.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

More than 170 council leaders, 90 Parliamentarians and five mayors have called on the Chancellor to extend the Household Support Fund.

The fund was introduced in October 2021 to provide local crisis support.

Since then, through local authorities, £2.5bn of essential welfare support has been made available to individuals and families struggling to make ends meet during the cost of living crisis.

Last year alone, local authorities in Greater Manchester have received £54m from the fund which has helped with food, energy and water bills. Some councils – including Manchester and Oldham – have used the money for free school meals outside of term time.

However, the government did not commit to extending the scheme in the autumn statement in November.