Metro Mayors from across England have today united to call for an extension to the government’s Household Support Fund in the Spring Budget taking place on 6 March 2024.
In a joint letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, and Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, have urged the government to renew the Household Support Fund which is due to end in March.
The letter outlines how vital the Fund has been in their regions, providing a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people most in need through emergency hardship payments, boosting food bank supplies, supporting those fleeting domestic violence and emergency food vouchers.
At a time when families and individuals are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, by not extending the Household Support Fund the Mayors say it will lead to more hardship.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“The Household Support Fund has supported thousands of people in Greater Manchester struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
“It has supported local authorities to extend free school meal provision during holiday periods for the most vulnerable children, created a network of warm spaces across the city-region during the winter months and supported some of our most vulnerable residents with rising fuel costs.
“The implications of withdrawing this grant will mean that thousands of residents in Greater Manchester will struggle to meet their most basic physical needs. We are united in urging the Government to reconsider ending this vitally important Household Support Fund.”
