Pressure mounts on DWP to extend £550 Household Support Fund as deadline approaches

The Government is facing calls to prolong a support scheme that offers grants of up to £550 to families in need. The Household Support Fund, which is distributed by local councils through methods such as direct payments or vouchers, helps those struggling with essential costs.

Local authorities can give out payments up to £550 to cover bills for water, energy and food. According to Government guidance, the provision of food vouchers during school holidays may be an option under this fund.

However, the sixth round of the scheme concludes at the end of September, creating demand from politicians for its renewal, reports the Express.

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Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Mike Storey, questioned if the Government had contemplated extending the programme beyond September.

Labour member, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, stated that "reviewing all policies", including the Household Support Fund, was part of the new Government's agenda.

Labour peer, Baroness Margaret Ritchie, also raised the matter, asking about recent assessments made regarding the fund.

In response, Baroness Sherlock explained the scheme's review procedures.

She declared: "DWP requires that Local Authorities provide Management Information (MI) returns to the Department, which demonstrate that they are delivering the scheme in accordance with the guidance and grant determination that the Department have set out for the scheme."

"This includes information on the type of household supported, category of spending, types of support and how support has been accessed."

She highlighted that the MI for the first three versions of the fund had been released, with the most recent one being