Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has had discussions with the Minister of Communities in Northern Ireland on ensuring that Barnett consequentials from the Household Support Fund are utilised to support people no longer in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment.

The Government has announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.

An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.

The Household Support Fund operates in England only. It is for the Devolved Governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit.