Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Paragraph: 30
Facilitate local authorities to share best practice in Household Support Fund delivery.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government facilitate local authorities to share best practice in delivering the Household Support Fund so that all local authorities, especially those that are smaller and more rural, may learn from those who have delivered this funding effectively.
Government Response Summary
The government stated that the Department for Work and Pensions has already delivered a programme of knowledge-sharing and engagement events with Local Authorities for the Household Support Fund, including informational drop-in sessions and conference calls.
Paragraph Reference:
30
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The current Household Support Fund scheme is running from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Household Support Fund is a scheme run by Upper Tier Local Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need towards the cost of essentials. The Department for Work and Pensions have already delivered a programme of knowledge-sharing and engagement events with Local Authorities in the lead up to—and throughout—the current Household Support Fund scheme. These events have included regular informational drop-in sessions facilitated by DWP (Department for Work & Pensions) officials, all-LA conference calls, and general knowledge-sharing events focused on specific topics of interest requested by Local Authorities. The sessions have been open to all Local Authorities and are intended to provide Authorities with the opportunity to share good practice. For example, DWP held fourteen knowledge-share sessions in June 2023 this year which included topics such as supporting difficult to reach groups.