Essex County Council getting over £1.3 million to keep families warm and well-fed this Easter
The Covid Winter Grant Scheme is being extended
Essex County Council is getting more than £1.3 million in additional funding to support vulnerable families this Easter.
It comes as the Covid Winter Grant Scheme is being boosted by more than £50 million to cover the two-week Easter period.
Of that, Essex County Council is getting £1,334,287.
The scheme was introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and primarily focuses on food and essential utility bills for low-income families.
It has meant councils can make sure children in their area have the essentials they need.
This new funding is in addition to the £170 million already allocated to the scheme from December until the end of March.
It is also on top of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme to support disadvantaged children during the Easter period.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said:
"This scheme has helped thousands of vulnerable children stay warm and well-fed during the coldest months of the year.
"While circumstances remain difficult, it is right that we extend it to cover Easter, and I want any worried parent to know there is help at hand."
The scheme is now running until 16 April.
At least 80 per cent of funds are ring-fenced to be spent on food, energy and water bills, with 20 per cent available for other associated essential costs.
Councils can also offer support to vulnerable individuals and households without children.
According to the Department for Work & Pensions, during the first two months of the scheme half the £170 million was spent, with almost two and a half million vulnerable households benefitting.
Based on local authority reporting for this period, 95 per cent of funding spent has been given to families with children, and 95 per cent of funding has been used to support households with food or utility bills.
It is part of the Government’s long-term plan to tackle poor health, hunger and education.