Telford group sceptical about extra household support from government
The government is extending it's Household Support Fund for another year in the West Midlands
A Telford group which supports people in crisis have told us they are sceptical about extra funding from the government which will help the poorest households in the West Midlands.
£87 million is coming to the region as part of the government's extension to their Household Support Fund.
What is the 'Household Support Fund'?
The fund should support an extra 1.6 million people locally with the cost of essentials such as energy, water and food.
Selected councils will offer supermarket vouchers, clothing and hygiene products to people with the funding.
What do local support groups make of the funding?
Telford Crisis Support have a food bank, hygiene bank and staff that can guide struggling people to support to pay their energy bills.
The government hopes the funding will help people at risk of falling into poverty by tackling issues at the earliest moment.
"The need far outweighs the funding available"
Simon Lellow, operations manager, said he was sceptical about how the funding would help people in the region:
"The need far outweighs the funding available. Absolutely it is helpful but there is such a wide gap that cannot be cured overnight.
"Pressure on our services has never been greater. It is a huge challenge being able to secure enough funding to continue our support," he said.
The funding will be introduced from April 1st 2025.
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