Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Household Support Fund

Monday 8 November 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Greg Smith praised Buckinghamshire Council for its work with the Helping Hand scheme.
  • The 500 million household support fund aims to assist those in need through local council initiatives.
  • The Secretary of State agreed that local authorities best understand their communities' needs for targeted support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP noted concerns about winter 2021-22 and the need to support vulnerable households. He mentioned local council initiatives like the Helping Hand scheme.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure that the household support fund helps the most vulnerable during winter 2021-22. The £500 million household support fund is extremely welcome and my local council is busy ensuring that support reaches those who need it through their excellent Helping Hand scheme.

Answer from Therese Coffey

My hon. Friend is right to praise Buckinghamshire Council, which was allocated £2.4 million from the fund. Local authorities delivering the household support fund have access to health visitors, social workers and housing departments, as well as the Searchlight portal for identifying people who need help at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify additional measures beyond praising local council efforts.

How: Praising Local Councils

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Resolution Foundation reported that 3.6 million households on universal credit will still be worse off due to the removal of the £20 uplift, amounting to a £3 billion reduction in support for the poorest.

Question

According to the Resolution Foundation, the combined effect of the removal of the £20 universal credit uplift and the Budget measures means that 3.6 million households on universal credit—three quarters of the total—will still be worse off this winter. These measures take £3 billion out of support for the poorest.

Answer from Therese Coffey

The hon. Lady will recognise that some Budget announcements provide direct support for people working or encouraging them into work. The £500 million household support fund, being a targeted fund, is expected to be a great support with local councils identifying those in need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not quantify how much hardship would be reduced by the household support fund.

How: Stating It Was Temporary

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Q3 Karen Buck Lab
Local Government
Context

The MP acknowledged the Helping Hand scheme by Buckinghamshire Council and emphasized the contrast between wealth and poverty in areas like High Wycombe.

Question

Like my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith), I pay tribute to Buckinghamshire Council for all that it has done with the Helping Hand scheme. Does the Secretary of State agree that in a place such as High Wycombe, where riches and poverty are often found so close together, it is imperative that we equip councils to provide local people with the local help that they need?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I strongly agree. We are working through local authorities, which understand their communities well without there being blanket schemes. This is reflected around the country including in places such as High Wycombe.

Answered
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