'Thousands of vulnerable residents will struggle to meet their most basic physical needs'

Local leaders have warned that 'thousands of vulnerable residents' in Greater Manchester will 'struggle to meet their most basic physical needs' because the government is withdrawing a 'vital safety net'. The Household Support Fund which has given local authorities across the country more than £2bn to help families facing financial hardship is expected to end on April 1, 2024.

This year alone, councils in Greater Manchester have received £54m from the fund to support thousands of people during the cost of living crisis. However, there was no reference made to continuing the scheme in the government's autumn statement last month.

According to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Treasury sources have indicated that the fund will not be extended. Political leaders and charity bosses have now joined Mr Burnham in writing to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him to reconsider this decision.

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The joint letter, signed by all 10 council leaders in the city-region as well as the deputy mayor and two representatives from the charity sector, says that withdrawing the grant will affect thousands of vulnerable residents in Greater Manchester. They said: "The Household Support Fund has supported thousands of people in Greater Manchester struggling with the cost of living crisis.

"Local authorities have utilised the Household Support Fund to extend free school meal provision during holiday periods for the most vulnerable children, create a network of warm spaces across the city-region during the winter months, support vulnerable residents with rising fuel costs and to provide dedicated financial support to specific