Department for Work and Pensions has published a press release on the extension of the Household Support Fund.

The government is extending the Household Support Fund by £421 million for six months, until April 2025, to assist vulnerable households with essentials such as energy, food, and water during the winter. This extension provides stability for Local Authorities to support those in need and will include additional funding of £79 million for Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Local councils will use the Fund not just for emergency aid but also to provide long-term support like appliances and energy efficiency improvements.

This measure is part of broader efforts to address rising poverty and economic challenges inherited from previous administrations. The government, facing a significant financial shortfall, aims to balance immediate relief with long-term strategies for economic growth, improved job security, and child poverty reduction.