- Rising prices as a result of global economic pressures including Covid and Putin’s illegal war have left many families struggling.
- That is why the Conservative Government has extended their support targeted at the most vulnerable into 2023-24 through £900 means-tested Cost of Living Payments, the Energy Price Guarantee and the £842 million Household Support Fund extension.
- The Conservative Government is doing everything it can to support the most vulnerable families in an economically sustainable way, protecting those most in need.
Mario has welcomed the news that the Conservative Government’s extended Household Support Fund Allocations for local authorities will be available from this week.
Surrey County Council will receive more than £10.5 million in this latest round of funding to help families that need support with the cost of essentials in the face of rising costs.
This funding takes the total level of support provided to Surrey residents to nearly £26.5 million, demonstrating the Conservative Government’s unwavering commitment to support the most vulnerable in times of financial hardship.
The Household Support Fund is a discretionary fund provided to local authorities enabling them to provide support to vulnerable families struggling to cover essential costs who may not be eligible for other Government support schemes.
The Conservative Government is also delivering further support on top of the £1 billion of funding for the Household Support Fund including means-tested £900 Cost of Living Payments, a £150 payment for disabled people, and £300 for pensioner households. The Conservative Government’s Energy Price Guarantee is also protecting people from rising energy costs this year and will remain in place until the end of March 2024.
Commenting, Mario said:
“Many families in Surrey are struggling with rising prices caused by global economic pressures including Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
“That is why I welcome the more than £10.5 million in funding for Surrey County Council from this week to help vulnerable residents through the Household Support Fund, building on our record of helping those most in need through challenging times.
“The Household Support Fund is a vital scheme helping families that are unable to pay for essentials, extending the fund will help many more families in need this year.”
Commenting, Mims Davies, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression said:
“The Household Support Fund has been a lifeline for many people who are struggling with rising living costs.
“From 1 April 2023, these additional funds are being made available to local authorities as we extend the Household Support Fund for another year, helping those most in need with the cost of essentials.”
The Conservative Government is helping vulnerable households by:
- Extending the £2.5 billion Household Support Fund for another year, ensuring the most vulnerable households can access support with essential costs. The Conservative Government has confirmed that the Household Support Fund will be extended to 2023-4 backed by a further £1 billion, taking the total level of support for families through this fund to £2.5 billion (DWP, Press release, 1 April 2023, link).
- Extending the new Energy Price Guarantee for another year, keeping bills as low as possible. The Energy Price Guarantee will continue to support everyone for another year. The Guarantee will continue to ensure the typical family pays £2,500 for energy until June 2023 (HM Treasury, Spring Budget 2023, 15 March 2023, link).
- Delivering additional means-tested Cost of Living Payments to some of the most vulnerable families in the UK. The Conservative Government is providing further Cost of Living Payments in 2023-2024 of £900 to households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioner households and £150 to disabled people (HM Treasury, News story, 17 November 2022, link).
