Think tank the Resolution Foundation has stated that the Household Support Fund needs renewing and reforming to ensure it continues to help families through the cost-of-living squeeze.

The Fund has helped millions of families in England with their food, energy and water bills since it was introduced in 2021. However, the Foundation stated that its effectiveness has been ‘hampered’ by ‘chaotic and declining funding’.

It says that funding needs to be put on a ‘firmer footing’, and urged the government to use the upcoming Spending Review to ensure the long-term future of the Household Support Fund.

Alex Clegg, Economist at the Resolution Foundation, commented: ‘The Household Support Fund has been a vitally important scheme, helping millions of families with unexpected costs and rising bills through the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

‘But its success has been hampered by chaotic and declining funding, and a lack of public awareness. This risks households in need of urgent help being left unaware and unable to access support.’