National charity cautiously welcomes extension of Local Support Grants

The extension of the Covid Grant Scheme will provide a much needed lifeline for people struggling with the cost of food and utility bills, although there must be a long term replacement, states national poverty charity Turn2us.

The Covid Winter Grant Scheme has been extended till 20 June and renamed to the Covid Local Support Grant Scheme with an additional £40 million of funding. However, the charity says there must be a long term solution to a long term problem.

Thomas Lawson, chief executive at Turn2us, said: “The Government’s Covid Grant Scheme has been a much needed resource for people facing financial crisis during the pandemic. So we welcome the extension of this support into June, and the additional £40m in funding.

“We know that schemes like this give many families the breathing space they need until they can find their feet again. Four out of five people who receive cash grants from Turn2us say the money stopped a cash flow problem from evolving into a long term financial crisis.

“In the longer term we hope local authorities continue to offer people who have been hit by a financial shock support through well funded Local Welfare Assistance schemes.

“Ahead of the additional central government funding coming to an end in June we encourage all councils to learn from the support they have provided and improve their on-going provision for anyone who experiences a financial shock in the future. The right support at the right point in time can make a massive difference to someone’s financial resilience.

“We also encourage the DWP to analyse the impact of the COVID grant schemes, and explore how support for people facing life shocks can continue.”