{"id":2399,"date":"2024-08-27T12:02:52","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T12:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/treasury-considers-extending-household-support-fund\/"},"modified":"2024-08-27T12:02:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T12:02:52","slug":"treasury-considers-extending-household-support-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/treasury-considers-extending-household-support-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Treasury considers extending Household Support Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Treasury considers extending Household Support Fund<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-3dqngk-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Supermarket basket\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/psHFFr.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/bc47\/live\/212440c0-6450-11ef-91f3-273f9f80a920.jpg 976w\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864.4075197089145\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"metadata-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-08-27T11:56:42.671Z\">4 minutes ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">The government&#8217;s Household Support Fund &#8211; designed to help with cost of living pressures like fuel prices &#8211; could be extended.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Under the scheme, which had been due to close on 31 September, cash is provided to councils in England to give struggling households small payments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The BBC has been told the Treasury is looking at extending the fund amid criticism of the decision to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The government is facing pressure to rethink the fuel payment cuts but government sources have said the prime minister is standing firm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It comes as Sir Keir Starmer warned the coming autumn Budget would be &#8220;painful&#8221; and that the government would have to make &#8220;big asks&#8221; of the public. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Speaking from Downing Street, he said he had not wanted to means-test winter fuel payments but that &#8220;it was a choice we had to take&#8221;.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Since coming to power in July, Sir Keir&#8217;s government has accused its Conservative predecessor of leaving public finances in a bad state and has repeatedly warned that &#8220;tough decisions&#8221; will need to be taken.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Conservative shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt has hit back at the argument, saying Labour inherited a &#8220;growing and resilient economy&#8221;. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"links-block\" class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-mh3hvv-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Handyman switching off energy when support ends<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">5 March<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">How much are gas and electricity bills going up this winter?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">4 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Household Support Fund was introduced in October 2021, with initial funding of \u00a3500m to help people hit by the Covid pandemic. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It has since been extended several times, most recently in the spring Budget when the previous government provided a further \u00a3500m to extend the fund through to September. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Councils can use the money to help people afford their food, energy and water bills as well as other essential items. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The scheme is aimed at vulnerable people but individual councils can decide on their own eligibility criteria and how the money is spent. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The pot of money also includes cash for devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to spend as they choose. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Paul Kissack, of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said extending the fund would be &#8220;the right thing to do&#8221; but added that there needed to be a &#8220;proper plan to address hardship, with a social security system that does what it is meant to do &#8211; helping people to afford the essentials&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"topic-list\" class=\"ssrcss-1qmkvfu-TopicListWrapper etw6iwl1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-113c0cq-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-50vlbt-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1ujonwb-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Keir Starmer<\/li>\n<li>Cost of Living <\/li>\n<li>UK economy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:56:42 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Treasury considers extending Household Support Fund PA 4 minutes ago The government&#8217;s Household Support Fund &#8211; designed to help with cost of living pressures like fuel prices &#8211; could be extended. Under the scheme, which had been due to close on 31 September, cash is provided to councils in England to give struggling households small&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/treasury-considers-extending-household-support-fund\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Treasury considers extending Household Support Fund<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2399"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2399\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}