Cost of living payment scheme extended - charity urges plan update

A charity has called on the government to 'rethink' its plans over the restriction of Winter Fuel Payments.

It comes after it was confirmed earlier this week that the Household Support Fund will receive a £421 million extension. As a result, local authorities across the country will be enabled to continue to provide cost of living support with the fund until April 2025.

Despite this, it comes in the backdrop of tighter restrictions for the Winter Fuel Payment which was previously announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. New restrictions to the eligibility criteria mean that less people will be able to take advantage of the payment during a period in which energy bills are expected to rise significantly.

Responding to the extension to the Household Support Fund, Carers Trust's Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Ramzi Suleiman, said: “We welcome the Government’s extension to the Household Support Fund, something Carers Trust and others have been calling for."

Mr Suleiman added that thousands of unpaid carers who relied on the Household Support fund will be breathing a sigh of relief. He added: "Around two-thirds of all unpaid carers have either had to give up paid work or cut back on working hours because of their caring role.

"This has pushed many of them into poverty at the same time as they’ve seen their bills rocket. The fund has been a vital financial safety net for many of them.

“However, the Government needs to go further. We urge the Government to rethink its plans to restrict the Winter Fuel Payments which may plunge many older carers into fuel poverty. The extension to the fund is good news but we can’t keep relying on short-term schemes that could be axed at any moment and don’t tackle the deeper issues.

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