The ‘lifeline’ household support fund
Jeremy Hunt announced a six-month extension to the household support fund (HSF). It was introduced in October 2021 as a stopgap measure to help families afford essentials during the winter. But quickly the HSF became institutionalised, making up around two-thirds of all local welfare assistance.
“The household support fund has become indispensable to local communities. It has reduced the need for food bank services and has provided the resources for frontline providers to distribute vouchers and other support,” said Sabine Goodwin, director of the Independent Food Aid Network.
“Extending the HSF is far from the solution to the UK’s policy-driven poverty crisis, but
