Liverpool City Council leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, has made an appeal to the Government, urging them to shelve the proposed plan to abolish the Household Support Fund. Alongside Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Cllr Ruth Bennett, they have joined forces with the Local Government Association (LGA) to petition the government to extend the fund beyond 31 March 2024. These sentiments have been captured in correspondence sent to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott MP.
In his letter, Cllr Robinson emphasized that Liverpool has one of the highest levels of deprivation in the country, with the Council working assiduously to support residents, with particular attention given to those who are economically vulnerable. Over the three-year period of the fund’s existence, it has helped a staggering number of residents, 330,000 to be precise, by providing food, fuel and other vital emergency costs. Councillor Robinson pointed out that once the fund is abolished, many residents will be put at risk.
He went on to explain that through the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, the fund has enabled the council to increase the local welfare assistance scheme. This increased support has been fundamental to helping a growing number of people who are facing challenges in meeting their basic needs. The scheme has also supported households with mortgages who are not eligible for any other forms of government relief, yet have had to endure an increase in the cost of living.
The council leader noted that in the short-term, the need for enhanced local welfare offer and crisis support provision is not reducing. This support will be vital beyond March 2024 to keep residents well, to support them to enter or stay in work, prevent escalation of crises, and reduce pressure on public services.
While the fund’s abolishment is still pending, many residents are eagerly anticipating the government’s decision given that it will have a significant impact on the number of vulnerable residents who depend on the fund to keep them afloat
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More