Lambeth council calls for Government support
Lambeth council has joined school and foodbank representatives in calling for an extension to a financial lifeline which helps struggling households with food, energy and clothing.
Health charity Impact on Urban Health, Brixton and Norwood Foodbank and Healthy Living Platform have signed a letter alongside councillors David Amos and Jim Dickson, which was sent to Jeremy Hunt MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Monday.
The signatories have asked Mr Hunt for a “firm” commitment from the Government to extend the Household Support Fund past March this year.
A spokesman for the council said: “At present the Government has made no decision on the extension, throwing community support networks into jeopardy and creating insecurity for Lambeth’s most vulnerable households, particularly through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”
A Spokesman from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We have invested over £2billion in the Household Support Fund over the last two years – with almost £800million already paid to families with children to help with the cost of living.
“The current Fund is available up until March 2024 as part of wider cost of living support worth on average £3,700 per household, including raising benefits by 6.7 per cent from April and increasing the Local Housing Allowance.”
Pictured top: Brixton and Norwood Foodbank (Picture: James Hopkirk)