Stockport Council call for Household Support Fund extension

Stockport Council have called on the government to extend the Household Support Fund in view of the approaching end date of 31 March.

HSF was introduced by the government in 2021 to help vulnerable households pay for essentials, and was initially only meant to last until spring of 2022, but was extended several times up until the upcoming cut off point.

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter, recently joined council leaders from across the country by signing an open letter to the Chancellor calling for the extension of the provision.

Cllr Hunter said “Household Support Fund has been providing vital support to struggling families across the country. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put families under massive financial strain, it is absolutely imperative the government extend this support, I cannot urge them strongly enough to do so.”

The fund itself is from a grant created by the Department of Work and Pensions, with each council receiving an allotted amount to distribute to low-income households for essentials. With the financial pressures on people up and down the country continuing, Stockport council has joined a growing movement that has called on the government to extend the support.

Cabinet member for Finance and Resources,  Cllr Jilly Julian said “The financial strain faced by both councils and households shows no sign of letting up, and many will not be able to afford the essentials if the Government take away this support. Simply put- we need more financial support from the Government, not less.”