Medway Council calls for household support fund to continue

A councillor in Medway is urging the government to keep its Household Support Fund.

The scheme was designed to help the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis.

It is set to end in March, but many councils want it to continue, with London authorities sending a joint letter to the chancellor.

The government said it had invested more than £2bn in the fund since 2021, when it was introduced.

Since September 2021, the council has received £4.5m a year from the fund.

Wednesday's full council meeting will debate a motion put forward by Labour member Tracy Coombs.

The motion will say: "Medway Council was concerned that the government's autumn financial statement was unable to commit to continuing this support through into the next financial year, at a time when people are still feeling the pressure of years of high inflation and record energy costs.

"There is a still an opportunity for the government to continue to fund this much needed support before it is due to run out, as part of the spring budget."

The department for work and pensions said it had increased benefits, pensions and local housing allowance to help with the cost of living.

A government spokesman said: "We have invested over £2 billion into the Household Support Fund over the last two years - with almost £800 million already paid to families with children.

"Anyone struggling to cover the costs of essentials should speak to their council about how the fund could help them."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].