Hampshire County Council leader urges government to do 'much more' over cost-of-living crisis

THE Conservative leader of Hampshire County Council has urged the government to do "much more" to help struggling families.

Cllr Rob Humby spoke out as the UK's cost-of-living crisis intensified with a new rise in energy bills set to come in on 1st October and winter a few months away.

He said: “Local government is based in the heart of communities and has the infrastructure in place, working alongside district and borough council partners, as well as the local community and voluntary sector, to ensure assistance gets to those in need.

"Over the past months, we have welcomed the additional national funding provided to support families and older people, for example, through distribution of the Household Support Grant and other funding streams, but much more is now needed."

He went on: "As we move into the colder months, and costs rise further, we will continue to work alongside our partners to further explore how we might continue to support local residents.

"However, I will also be pressing government personally, on behalf of the people of Hampshire, to make available to local authorities additional hardship funding so we can further assist the many people who will be making some exceptionally difficult and troubling choices this winter about how they spend their household budgets.”

HCC said it is already supporting households, ranging from providing information and support for people with disabilities and older adults who receive social care services, to offering warm spaces through its libraries.

Measures include the planned distribution of Warm Boxes and Fairshare food vouchers, as part of the national Household Support Grant Scheme.

A Hampshire-wide helpline, Hitting the Cold Spots, has been commissioned to provide assistance for those struggling to keep their homes warm.