It is welcome that the Government is extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months until September 2024. Alongside other benefits, the HSF has provided a vital layer of additional support to households during the cost of living crisis. The Household Support Fund should be made a permanent feature of the social security system. This would enable local authorities to plan their provision of discretionary support to households better.

It is welcome that the Government is extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months until September 2024. Alongside other benefits, the HSF has provided a vital layer of additional support to households during the cost of living crisis. The Household Support Fund should be made a permanent feature of the social security system. This would enable local authorities to plan their provision of discretionary support to households better. Type: conclusion | Number: 16 | Paragraph: 134 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Household Support Fund was introduced as part of the government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable during a year when war in Ukraine and global supply chain pressures led to high inflation. Since October 2022, the annual increase in CPI has already more than halved from 11.1% to 3.2%