The Work and Pensions Committee has today
published the Government
response to its report that called on Ministers to consider
widening the eligibility for any future cost of living support
payments and for them to take account of the financial
difficulties faced by disabled people and families.
The cost of living support payments report, which was published in
November, concluded that payments had not been sufficient to
meet the scale of the problem and offered only a short-term
reprieve for many.
In its response, the Government rejects the recommendation that
any future cost of living support payments should take account of
family size and does not accept the Committee’s suggestion that
anyone who misses a payment due to receiving regular earnings on
a non-monthly basis should be issued the missed payment in the
mop-up system.
The Government also rejects the Committee’s calls to clarify
guidance to local authorities on Household Support Fund
eligibility for people with no recourse to public funds,
suggesting that the range of different circumstances is too broad
to capture in guidance.
Rt Hon Sir MP, Chair of the Work and
Pensions Committee, said:
“Despite the support payments making an important impact in
helping those in need, some either did not receive sufficient
help or missed out.
“It is also important that councils receive clear guidance on who
is eligible for the Household Support Fund, which acts as a
crucial safety net for those who do not qualify for payments or
means tested benefits. The possibility that there will be no
Household Support Fund in the next financial year is causing
widespread alarm.”
Sir Stephen will be leading a Westminster Hall debate on the
Household Support Fund on Wednesday next week at 4.30pm.
