Senior finance officers across London have urged the Government to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) into the 2024-25 financial year.
With councils required to finalise their budgets within weeks, and the Spring Budget set for 6 March, the Society of London Treasurers (SLT) has called for urgent clarification on whether the HSF will be extended, or any transitional funding available.
Across London, the HSF provides meals for children during school holidays, emergency food for families, and pays for essentials like heating and clothes.
In a letter to the chancellor, SLT president Clive Palfreyman said: ‘With the increases outlined in this year’s local government finance settlement insufficient to address the financial pressures councils face and council budgets being finalised in the next few weeks, it is more critical than ever that essential programmes like the HSF continue.
‘London boroughs under severe financial strain will be challenged to fill the gaps cancelling the HSF would create.’
The SLT joins pleas by the Local Government Association and Core Cities for an extension of the fund.
