Covid-19 Local Support Measures: Extension

Wednesday 14th April 2021 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse Coffey)]

The covid-19 winter grant scheme has enabled local authorities in England to provide targeted support to families and individuals, keeping them warm and well fed over the winter period, with the principal focus being on disadvantaged children.



The initial scheme was issued at £170 million and was due to conclude at the end of March 2021. In the first two months of the scheme, covering December 2020 and January 2021, local authorities spent over £86 million, with 94% of that awarded to support families with children and 96% used on the provision of food and support with utility bills. In the same period, nearly 2.4 million awards had been made to vulnerable households through the scheme. The scheme was subsequently extended with an additional £59.1 million of support and was due to conclude this Friday, 16 April.



Recognising that some restrictions on the economy continue, we are extending the scheme until 20 June 2021 with funding of £40 million and re-naming it the covid-19 local support grant. This brings the scheme into line with the Prime Minister’s road map out of lockdown as on 21 June, provided we continue to pass the four steps needed to progress through the road map, most of the remaining restrictions will be lifted.



All conditions of the grant continue, as does the allocation methodology.

[HCWS914]