Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Household Support Fund: Extension

Monday 11 November 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assessment of the household support fund's impact on low-income households in 2025-26 has not been conducted.
  • The household support fund assists pensioner households, including those just above the pension credit threshold, though no specific funding is ringfenced for pensioners.
  • The government aims to provide certainty to local authorities to design sustainable plans for local welfare assistance until March 2026.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damien Egan Lab Bristol North East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

No specific assessment has been made on the potential impact of the household support fund extension in 2025-26, despite its importance for low-income households.

Question

What assessment have you made of the potential impact of the extension of the household support fund in 2025-26 on low-income households?

Answer from Andrew Western

No specific assessment has been made of the impact of the household support fund on low-income households in 2025-26, although we hear routinely from local authorities across the country about the impact of the fund in supporting those who are struggling. An evaluation of the fourth iteration of the scheme, running from April 2023 to March 2024, will be published shortly, exploring the benefits of the more than 19 million awards made during this period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact assessment for 2025-26 was not provided

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Q2 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The winter fuel allowance is not means-tested, leading to pensioners who do not need it receiving benefits while others struggle. The question focuses on the extent of assistance provided by the household support fund.

Question

Can you confirm the extent to which the household support fund will assist those pensioners in my Wolverhampton West constituency who are just above the pension credit threshold but struggling with heating their homes?

Answer from Andrew Western

The household support fund is intended to support a wide range of households in need, including pensioner households. There has been no ringfencing of funding for specific groups since October 2022, meaning that local authorities have the flexibility to support pensioners who are just above the pension credit threshold. In the 2023-24 financial year, 26% of household support funding went towards meeting energy costs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific extent or figures were provided for Wolverhampton West

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Q3 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Local Government
Context

The Government provided over £1 billion for the household support fund, extending it through next year. The question focuses on how to make best use of this funding.

Question

How will the Department work with local authorities to make the most of the notice given and ensure the funding goes as far as possible?

Answer from Andrew Western

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As a former local authority leader, I know that above all else, certainty will allow councils to design and deliver sustainable plans for local welfare assistance. The Government's commitment to funding the HSF until March 2026 offers that certainty and time to plan with greater confidence. To that end, we will confirm individual allocations for the forthcoming one-year extension to the HSF as soon as possible, and ahead of the scheme beginning on 1 April.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on how they will collaborate with local authorities

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Q4 Damien Egan Lab Bristol North East
Local Government
Context

Local councils have discretion over how to spend the household support fund, leading to variations in distribution. The question focuses on ensuring funds reach those most in need.

Question

How will you ensure that the money from councils goes to the people who really need it?

Answer from Andrew Western

Like me, my hon. Friend is a former local authority leader—albeit a directly elected mayor, and with a far greater mandate, therefore, than I ever enjoyed. Like me, he will appreciate the importance of empowering local areas to respond to local need. That said, all councils must develop delivery plans to show how they are targeting the funds to support the most vulnerable, to ensure that the spirit of the HSF is upheld in helping low-income households with the cost of essentials.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures for ensuring funding reaches those who need it

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