How Rochdale council is spending £4.6m grant to support most borough's most vulnerable households

Rochdale council is to launch a new £4.6m package of support aimed at helping the most vulnerable people in the borough. The cash has been allocated via the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) for 2023/24, and is targeted at those who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living or housing costs.

A council report notes the fallout from the pandemic coupled with the cost of living crisis means ‘demand will increase from our population, with thousands more in fuel poverty, in debt or under financial difficulties’. “The number of people claiming out of work benefits has more than doubled and four times more people are accessing emergency food support,” it adds.“It is important that the council puts in place a comprehensive support package and should in particular support low income families and low income older households, but to include programmes that can reach out and support other people who are struggling.”READ MORE: Active travel group calls for 'ambitious plan' as borough is rated worst for cycling in Greater Manchester

Bosses say it is impossible ‘to capture a full picture of the impact of the cost of living crisis across the borough’ - hence the council proposing four different programmes of support through the HSF funding.

Targeted support for low income families through provision of evouchers through school holidays food vouchers - £2.73m

More than 13,000 children in Rochdale are either eligible for free school meals or identified by children’s services as being in need. This includes young people who have been in care.Due to the current economic climate, bosses expect these two groups will grow and provision should be made for supporting up to 14,000