✔️A cash-first, needs-led approach to crisis support
✔️Tackling the drivers of financial crisis, not the symptom of food insecurity
✔️Preventative support and building financial resilience for people most at risk of financial crisis
✔️A systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating outcomes
The CRF cannot solve the persistent hardship in our communities, which stems from problems in the social security system, but it can provide a lifeline in a crisis and help people onto a more secure financial footing.
To do this, we need to see a focus on the following priorities:
The commitment to multi-year funding is a major opportunity to reset local crisis support in England, moving away from patchwork provision and short-term funding rounds.
This is the kind of investment that, if delivered well, can reduce the need for #foodbanks to fill the gap in a crisis.
Really pleased to share a new report from @trusselluk.bsky.social and @policyinpractice.bsky.social on priorities for the new #CrisisandResilienceFund. This will replace the Household Support Fund from April with 3 years guaranteed funding for councils in England www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Ending the cruel two-child limit is exactly what the Chancellor needed to deliver in this Budget and is very welcome news indeed. And brilliant words from Emrys - lifting children out of poverty 'will help everyone really', spot on!
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
Major research from @trusselluk.bsky.social today with clear signs that hardship is deepening across the UK and going without essentials, including food, is becoming a more normal part of daily life.
Hunger in the UK isn't inevitable and tackling hardship benefits us all. It's time to act.
1️⃣ we're in the 7th cycle of the Household Support Fund
2️⃣ its future is still uncertain
3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support
... so what should come next?
New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇
✔️ UK govt should build on the foundations of Local Welfare Assistance and the Household Support Fund to launch a new approach to local crisis support as part of the Spending Review.
Alongside ensuring our social security system is fit for purpose.
This means quick access to crisis grants to help people get back on their feet, linked to a system of joined up local services and support to build financial resilience and make it less likely someone will need crisis support again.
53% of people referred to @trusselluk.bsky.social food banks have faced an unexpected cost they struggled to pay in the previous 3 months.
To tackle hunger and hardship and drive down numbers needing to turn to food banks, we need an effective crisis support scheme in every single area.
