A cross-party letter has been sent to the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP regarding the long-term future of the financial support scheme for vulnerable residents.
Date: 25 January 2024
Dear Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Household Support Fund – Resolution of Medway Council
We are writing to you, on behalf of Medway Council, to advise you of a motion unanimously agreed at last night’s meeting of the Council on 24 January 2024, as follows:
“Medway Council welcomes the £4,524,926 it has received through the Household Support Fund from the Government which helps to support the most vulnerable in our community through the cost-of-living crisis during the 2023/2024 financial year.
"Medway Council was concerned that the government’s Autumn Financial Statement was unable to commit to continuing this support through into the next financial year, at a time when people are still feeling the pressure of years of high inflation and record energy costs.
"Medway Council notes that there is still an opportunity for the government to continue to fund this much needed support before it is due to run out, as part of the Spring Budget.
"Medway Council agrees to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to confirm the long-term future of this vital fund at the Spring Budget. This will allow local authorities, who are most attuned to their constituents’ needs, to make vital interventions which help support families and individuals at this time.”
Reflecting both the unanimous support across the Council and the strength of feeling on this issue, we agreed as Group Leaders representing every Group on the Council and the Chief Executive, we would all co-sign this letter.
Therefore, we look forward to hearing back from you at the earliest opportunity on this matter, given the urgency of this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Hicks, Chief Executive
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Council - Labour and Co-operative Group
Cllr Adrian Gulvin, Leader of the Opposition - Conservative Group
Cllr George Crozer - Leader of the Independent Group