Wiltshire Council given over £1m to support those most in need this winter
Half of the money has already been received, with the other half arriving next year
£1,107,932.98 has been given to Wiltshire Council by the government to help support the lowest paid families over the winter period.
They've received the money from the £170m Covid Winter Grant Scheme, which has been split between all councils across the country.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills said:
“This year has been difficult for all of us but for some people it has been unimaginably hard. This funding will make a real difference to so many.
We are working closely with our schools who know their families best to ensure they are able to distribute the first part of the funds in time for the Christmas holidays. There is also funding available to help families with younger children who are in need. The remaining funds will be shared to support families without children and individuals who need help with food or household fuel and utility bills during these challenging times. We are working with our partners to make the arrangements and will be sharing further information on this shortly.”
Hampshire County Council will receive £2,898,701.72.
The funding will be used to help families buy essential items, with the guidance re-enforcing that 80% of the money needs to be spent on food, energy and water bills.
It's up to the local authorities on how this grant is distributed.
Half of it has already been given to the council, to help with the Christmas period, with the rest of the cash set to be given in 2021 as the scheme runs until the end of March.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said:
"No one should go hungry or be unable to pay their bills this winter. By empowering local authorities who know their areas best, this scheme ensures families are warm and well-fed this Christmas.
This adds to the wide range of support already available, including £9.3 billion of additional welfare support to help families in need during the pandemic, along with mortgage holidays, support for renters, and billions in income support through the furlough scheme."
The Government has encouraged local authorities receiving funding to engage with lower-tier councils and other organisations.
In addition to the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, from Easter 2021 the Holiday Activities and Food Fund will be expanded with £220m of funding to cover the major school holidays across the country.
This will help disadvantaged children get healthy food.