After sustained lobbying from the sector the Chancellor has made the right decision.
After intense lobbying both by ourselves and others across the local government sector, Core Cities UK welcomes today's news that the Chancellor is to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF). We would urge Government to look at extending it further when the time comes and review any tapering mechanism if the cost of living crisis continues to worsen.
The fund has been a vital tool, providing emergency assistance and helping councils deal with the sharp increase in poverty and hardship witnessed in recent years in our cities, but it is a 'sticking plaster' solution to a longer term problem. While today's news is welcome, it falls well short of a long term strategy to alleviate and reduce poverty and make sure we create growth for everyone.
Today's Budget cannot disguise the dramatic reductions planned in public services - exacerbating the local government funding crisis - which will cost the Treasury more in the long run.
The Core Cities have a plan to unleash their potential and grow the UK economy in a sustainable way that will benefit all our citizens. We would welcome conversations with Government about how we can work together to achieve this.