Plymouth City Council gets ready to support families in need this Christmas
Our city is getting a share of more than ÂŁ920,000 from the Government's Covid Winter Grant Scheme
Plymouth families most in need are set to benefit from Government funding this Christmas.
The City Council has received ÂŁ926,040 from the ÂŁ170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme, which will help those struggling to buy the essentials they need - such as food, energy and water bills.
Half of that money is being made available to the local authority now, allowing them to put support in place ahead of the festive period.
The remainder of the funds will be given next year, as the scheme is designed to run until the end of March.
The money from the Government has been distributed to council's based on population size, whilst also weighting for deprivation in the local area.
Local authorities are being encouraged to engage with lower-tier councils and other organisations immediately to ensure any local eligibility and funding criteria are in place.
This funding is all part of the Government's long-term plan to tackle poor health, hunger and education.
In addition to the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, from Easter next year the Holiday Activities and Food Fund will be expanded with ÂŁ220 million of funding to cover the major school holidays that year.
Healthy Start scheme payments are also set to increase from ÂŁ3.10 to ÂŁ4.25 a week from next April, and the Government has pledged additional funding of ÂŁ16m for food distribution charities.