Grant scheme ‘does not come close’ to aiding vulnerable families says JRF

Anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has issued a blistering response to the ‘Household Support Fund’ announced today by the department for work and pensions.

The new £500 million scheme provides funding to local authorities, which can then provide discretionary cash grants, often on a one-off basis, to tackle acute financial emergencies. It replaces the COVID local support grant introduced to help people with food and bills during the pandemic.

JRF’s deputy director Helen Barnard, said: “The Household Support Fund is an 11th-hour attempt to save face as the Government presses ahead with an unprecedented overnight cut to Universal Credit next week.

“The support available through this fund is provided on a discretionary basis to families facing emergency situations. It does not come close to meeting the scale of the challenge facing millions of families on low incomes as a cost-of-living crisis looms and our social security system is cut down to inadequate levels. By admitting today that families will need to apply for emergency grants to meet the cost of basics like food and heating through winter, it’s clear the Chancellor knows the damage the cut to Universal Credit will cause.

“The temporary measure announced today will not fix the fundamental inadequacy of our social security system, but it does show the Government is capable of changing course. The Prime Minister and Chancellor cannot ignore the widespread concern about the cut, and must reverse it before it’s too late.”

The conclusion of the furlough scheme on Thursday corresponds with the end of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, amid rising food and energy bills.