Wiltshire Council to extend cost of living help

The council says it will continue to work to distribute £2.7m from the Government's Household Support Fund (HSF)

Help for those struggling with the cost of living has been extended until September, Wiltshire Council has said.

The council confirmed it would continue to work in partnership with local organisations and internal departments to distribute £2.7m from the Government's Household Support Fund (HSF).

The fund is provided to support low-income households that would otherwise struggle to meet essential living costs.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health, said the extension was "most welcome".

Rough sleepers

He added: “Wiltshire Council and third sector organisations will work together to support households that are struggling the most with food and energy bills."

Mr Blair-Pilling said the support would be provided through food parcels, energy vouchers, supermarket vouchers, household items and meals.

The fund would include support for families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people.

Wiltshire Council has also identified that support is required for rough sleepers, Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater Communities.

'End the suffering'

While immediate needs would be prioritised, councils are also being encouraged to use the fund to provide support that has a long-term sustainable impact.

Examples of sustainable support may include kitchen appliances, efficient heating systems, courses or advice to provide support in the longer term.

Fiona Oliver, from Wiltshire Community Foundation, said the organisation was "pleased" to continue its work with Wiltshire Council.

She said: "This fund will enable these groups to continue their work while it is still very much needed."

Jonathan Twomey, from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), said the organisation understood the "hardships faced by many across the region".

He added: "At CSE our mission is to end the suffering caused by cold homes.

"That's why we're pleased to deliver the Household Support Fund grants through our 'Warm and Safe Wiltshire' initiative."

Mr Twomey said the Warm and Safe Wiltshire initiative would provide eligible residents with e-vouchers for essential needs like food and energy costs as well as energy efficiency upgrades like replacement boilers or storage heaters.