Families across Penrith and The Border hit hard by the pandemic are to get further financial support from the Government.
Cumbria County Council is set to receive an extra £1,408,393 from the Covid Local Support Grant to help families get back on their feet as the economy recovers and the vaccine rollout continues. The total allocation for Cumbria since December 1 last year is £3,777,135.
The Covid Local Support Grant (previously known as the Covid Winter Grant Scheme) has enabled local authorities in England to support families who are struggling with the cost of food and utility bills as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The grant has run from 1st December, with a total investment of over £269m so far. Between 1st December and 16th April, councils had made almost 6.3m awards under the scheme. It will now be extended for a final time, with a further investment of £160m, to cover the period up to 30th September. This temporary support is being extended beyond the planned ending of restrictions, to provide further support for families.
The Covid Local Support Grant is in addition to the £220m Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which has been scaled up to cover the whole of England across the major school holidays in 2021 – including this summer. The HAF will provide disadvantaged children across the country with healthy meals and enriching activities.
Commenting on the news Dr Hudson said:
“Families have borne many hardships throughout this pandemic and it is therefore only right that the government extends its support package to those who need it most. I know that many of my constituents in Penrith and The Border have welcomed the support as covering food and utility bills is a constant worry for families who are struggling to make ends meet. I will continue to champion the need for support as it is vital that businesses, families and individuals are not financially ruined as a result of the pandemic and can look forward to a more positive future.”
