Government confirms more than £60m of additional local welfare assistance funding for councils in England

Extra discretionary support made available in response to 'extraordinary circumstances' of the coronavirus pandemic

The government has confirmed that councils in England are to be provided with more than £60 million of additional local welfare assistance funding.

In the Commons yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said -

'... we are aware of the particular difficulties faced by vulnerable families. That is why we are announcing a further £63 million of local welfare assistance to be used by local authorities at their discretion to help the most vulnerable families.'

Confirming the announcement today, Victoria Prentis MP, who leads the cross-government Food and Essential Supplies to the Vulnerable Task Force, said -

'The extraordinary circumstances of the [COVID-19] pandemic have meant real financial difficulty for many households, with people left facing hard choices.

... Local authorities are already doing a brilliant job helping the most vulnerable in their communities and this extra money will enable them to help more families and individuals at this extremely difficult time.'

For more information see £63 million for local authorities to assist those struggling to afford food and other essentials from gov.uk