Mark Whitehead 26 January 2023

Council chiefs call for extra support for 13.4m in poverty

Council chiefs call for extra support for 13.4m in poverty image
Image: I Wei Huang/Shutterstock.com.

Millions of people still face poverty despite recent government support, council leaders have warned in response to a shocking new study that found nearly four million children lived in poor households.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said the Household Support Fund provided to councils should be made permanent and more flexible.

Chair of the LGA’s resources board Peter Marland was responding to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation saying 13.4 million people were in poverty during 2020/21, including 3.9 million children.

He said the welfare system should ensure that families have enough income to meet their essential living costs.

Cllr Marland said: ‘Protecting those in poverty is a critical priority for councils. As this report highlights, targeted government support does help, but millions of people still face uncertainty due to inflation and being unable to pay rising bills.

‘The Government should make the Household Support Fund it has provided to councils permanent, alongside greater flexibility to ensure this helps those in the greatest need and crucially shift focus from short-term crisis support to investing in prevention.

‘Councils should also have the resources and flexibilities to tackle inequalities in housing, employment, education and to improve access to services such as debt advice and welfare benefits, to improve our communities’ overall health.

‘Green, inclusive local economies and access to amenities which promote health and wellbeing also have a role, at a time of intense pressure on households and services.

‘Alongside this, we need a sufficient mainstream welfare system, which ensures families have enough income to meet their essential living costs including addressing the freeze in local housing allowance rates.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner