London Councils has welcomed the government’s announcement that it is extending the Household Support Fund.

Cllr Anthony Okereke. London Councils’ Executive Member for Communities, said:

“The government’s decision is hugely welcome news.

“The life-changing impact of the fund is clear. In London, boroughs have used the fund to provide meals for thousands of children during school holidays, help low-income households pay for essentials such as gas bills or school uniforms, and open warm hubs to support residents struggling with heating costs.

“With so many Londoners still facing immense cost-of-living pressures, the extension of the Household Support Fund to March 2025 will boost boroughs’ ability to assist them through the winter months.

“London boroughs will also continue to engage with the government over the future of local welfare provision, making the case for long-term funding that better enables us to help those residents at risk of financial hardship.”

In 2023/24 London boroughs spent £135.7m through the Household Support Fund to assist low-income Londoners. Research by London Councils published in January found that the Household Support Fund has been used to:

Provide meals for 472,000 children in London during the school holidays.
Give emergency food support to 218,000 families.
Make numerous one-off payments for essential items such as food, clothes, gas and electricity, replacing essential household appliances and school uniforms.
Fund support and advice workers to help people address longer term issues including housing, employment and debt.
Fund voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver services.