SIGOMA Chair calls for 'full clarity' on Household Support Fund

Posted on August 28, 2024

Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton, chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) said:

The Household Support Fund is an essential piece of welfare support that our members have utilised to provide tailored support to the most vulnerable communities. This has included supporting foodbanks, free school meals in the school holidays, new boilers, furniture and bedding for residents and cost of living payments for residents on low incomes.

It is welcome to see reports that the fund will be extended, but with the scheme currently set to finish at the end of September, full clarity on the size and length of the extension would be very welcome. Ideally this fund should be made permanent to avoid the regular uncertainty about whether the fund would continue given the nature of providing welfare programmes and agreeing longer-term contracts.

Read the full article in the LGC, here.