Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has welcomed £7,240,078 from the Government’s fourth edition of the Household Support Fund for the most vulnerable households and families across Leicestershire.
The Government has been supporting households in the last few months by subsidising, on average, over 50% of energy bills by capping wholesale gas and electricity prices for households and providing a £400 grant for every household.
The latest extension of the Fund, launched in 2021 to support with cost of living pressures, is the largest yet as it brings £842 million to households across England, for those most exposed to high costs.
Leicestershire has now received more than £18.1 million from the Fund with hundreds of vulnerable households across Hinckley and Bosworth supported by food vouchers for families in receipt of free school meals during the school holidays, warm home packs for pensioners and fuel vouchers for people struggling with rising energy costs.
It has been used in a variety of different ways since its inception to support those most in need, with Leicestershire County Council having previously worked with Leicester City Football Club to create community cooking events.
Those wanting to find out what support is available should visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk or contact their local council office.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “I know how much this important Fund has helped to support vulnerable families and households across our community with the rising cost of living.
“Times are tough, with global inflation running high following the pandemic and Putin’s war in Ukraine pushing up energy bills, but it’s imperative that people who are struggling know of the support that’s available to them.
“I urge anyone who thinks they or a loved one may be eligible for the vouchers or warm home packs to reach out to Leicestershire County Council and find out how they can be referred for the Fund.”
Mims Davies, DWP Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, said “The Household Support Fund has already helped vulnerable families across England through these challenging times and I am pleased it will continue to do so for another full year.
“This is just one part of our extensive and targeted £26 billion support package, which includes payments worth £900 for millions of people on benefits and additional support for disabled people and pensioners, whilst every household will continue to save money thanks to our Energy Price Guarantee.”
