Greater Manchester boroughs' most vulnerable handed £2.2m to help them through winter

Tameside’s most vulnerable residents have received a £2.2m boost to support them through the winter.

The latest round of the Household Support Fund (HSF) has been rolled out by the government to prop up council services. Town hall bosses have hailed the latest cash injection, as well as the expected extension of the scheme in six months time.

Cash will mainly be used on supermarket vouchers for families during school holidays as well as an open application scheme where residents can apply for support. Previously, the HSF has supported thousands of residents across the borough, including pensioners, children, carers, and disabled people, with food, energy and wider essentials.

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The funding has been split into seven programmes by Tameside Council.

This includes:

• Vouchers for school holidays for families and young people eligible for free school meals
• Targeted support and direct awards for individuals, families and households
• Funding for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to provide support over the colder months as well as funding to the foodbank and food pantry network
• Advice provision via the council’s Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service
• Essential household items through the Tameside Resettlement Scheme
• Support with housing costs to enable moves from temporary accommodation into secure housing
• An open application Scheme into which residents can apply for help with the costs of food, energy and/or related essentials

Speaking after the latest meeting of town hall bosses on November 27, the executive member for finance and resources, Coun Jack Naylor, said: “I’m delighted that the Household Support Fund is continuing and we’re using the latest £2.2million funding to help low-income households. We’re determined to do everything we can to help people with cost-of-living pressures, particularly our most vulnerable residents.

“From supermarket vouchers for families in the school holidays to grants for food, fuel and other essentials and funding for community groups to keep people safe and warm, this money will be going to those most in need.”

The cabinet approved the latest round of funding - which has come at a time when they’re tightening the belt. The latest budget forecast has found the town hall needs to find £16.7m of savings in the next six months.

Town hall bosses have already outlined potential savings of just over £4m by the end of the financial year, meaning they have another £12.3m of cuts to find by April 2025.