Over a million pounds in cost-of-living support was approved on Monday by the Isle of Wight council.
Councillor Debbie Andre, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, gave the go-ahead to a package of funding worth £1,131,576.08.
What’s included?
The Isle of Wight Household Support Fund (HSF) consists of a Top-up Food Voucher Scheme, a one-off £25 food voucher for up to 10,000 households receiving Local Council Tax Support and a one-off £75 utility voucher for pensioners not receiving Pension Credit.
Also included is funding for crisis food support, energy efficient white goods, community pantries and community grants.
DWP funding
The support comes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). English local councils have received HSF payments from the DWP since 2021.
Monday’s funding comes from the latest DWP extension to the HSF: £421 million allocated through County and Unitary Councils to offer crisis support to the most vulnerable households, helping them afford basic essentials such as water, food, energy and housing in exceptional circumstances.
Tackling climate change
Isle of Wight HSF’s measures to help low-income households with energy costs also have a climate action rationale.
The council said support for insulation and draught proofing as well as efficient LED lighting, air fryers and slow cookers can help reduce household carbon emissions.
Councillor Andre said,
“The HSF provides the funding mechanisms from Government to local authorities to aid them to provide local crisis support to vulnerable households in most need, with the cost of essentials to meet immediate needs, and help those struggling to afford household essentials including energy and water bills, food and wider essentials.
“The HSF provided by government has been very welcome as a source of temporary additional funding.
“The council has been working with its Island Partners to co-produce an Isle of Wight Poverty Reduction Strategy 2024-2029.
“This sets out the steps that the Island will take to not only focus on the here and now but also the longer term needs of support.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
