LGA responds to Action for Children report on low-income families in poverty

Responding to an Action for Children report which finds that 300,000 low-income families with children are in poverty despite having a parent or parents working full time, Cllr Pete Marland, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Economy and Resources Board, said:

“No child should grow up in poverty and this report is a stark reminder of the challenges facing low-income families and other vulnerable households.

“Councils are trying to support those struggling with the cost of living, both through providing vital crisis support and wider services, which help build residents’ longer-term financial resilience.  

“We call on government to extend the Household Support Fund for at least a year, to help councils prevent the risk of more households falling into financial crisis, homeless and poverty.”

 Ends

Notes to editors

The Household Support Fund provided £820 million, the equivalent of 62 per cent, of all local welfare support in 2022/23 and is set to end on 31 March 2024.