Household Support Fund (No. 2)

That this House expresses deep concern that the UK Government has not committed to extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) beyond March 2024; notes that via this fund the Government has invested significantly in local crisis support as a response to the cost-of-living crisis; further notes that more than £2 billion has been invested in the fund since October 2021; acknowledges this represents the largest investment in local government in England to deliver local crisis support since the abolition of the Social Fund in 2013; notes that additional sums have also been provided to devolved administrations through the Barnett formula for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; expresses concern that almost two-thirds of councils responding to an Local Government Association survey said they could provide no additional discretionary funding to replace what is lost when the HSF ends and just under one-fifth said they would also be reducing their own local welfare discretionary funding due to financial pressures; further notes that demand for the HSF has never been higher, that foodbank usage is at record levels and one-in-four children live in poverty, and around three-quarters of councils told the LGA they expect financial hardship to increase in their area in the next 12 months; and notes a letter signed by more than 120 organisations including The Children’s Society, Trussell Trust and Barnardo’s who shared their fears that this will leave a large gap in support which neither local government, nor the voluntary sector, will be able to fill.