Extending household support fund has been described as a "lifeline" by one Ipswich resident but says he fears a six month reprieve may not be enough for those working to make ends meet.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his highly anticipated spring budget to the House of Commons on Wednesday, delivering key cuts to national insurance, an overhaul on 'non-dom' tax status, and a freeze on alcohol and fuel levies. 

Among the announcements, he also said that the Household Support Fund (HSF) will be extended by a further six months. 

This is money allocated by the treasury to local councils to support vulnerable households in the area, with funds for meals and bills.

This scheme was meant to come to an end on March 31 and there was no indication that it would be extended, leading to councils and charities asking for benefits to remain as they were. 

"The announcement came as a pleasant surprise to us," said Mohammad Syed, an Ipswich resident who gets help from HSF. 

Mr Syed supports a family of four, who came to the UK as refugees but has only been able to work odd jobs since he was granted permanent leave to remain early last year.

The Household Support Fund has proven beneficial to him.

His family gets support from Suffolk County Council in terms of meals and assistance with heating bills as well as support by Ipswich Borough Council.

Mr Syed said: "The support from the council was amazing during the winter break when we needed heating and the children weren't in school. So when I heard that this support might be cut, I got really concerned.

"We were hoping it would be renewed, but everyone told us that we need to be prepared for it to not be. 

"So getting this extra time to find a proper job and be able to support my family would be great."

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However, questions remain on whether just an extension of six months is enough. 

Mr Syed thinks it is something that would help them in the short-term, but not something that would support him in the 'worst-case scenario'.

 He added: "I would hope six months from now I can support my family, but what if I am not? What happens if I am still working odd jobs, and this is taken away then.

"Six months is good for now, but for the near future, it is scary. It is set to end now just in time for the next winter, so it does put stress on us. "

He is not alone in these beliefs with the Local Government Association (LGA) also raising similar concerns. 

Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the LGA, said: "We are pleased the Chancellor has extended the Household Support Fund (HSF), which has helped millions of households facing hardship.

“It is disappointing that we had to wait until the very last minute for an extension, and that it is only for a short period. Three-quarters of councils expect hardship to increase further in their area over the next 12 months.”

East Anglian Daily Times:

Meanwhile Suffolk charity, Emmaus, recently saw that homelessness in the region has risen by 18% since 2022, while having risen 27% nationally in the same period.

Coupled with Suffolk County Council’s planned cuts to the housing-related support budget, the charity is deeply concerned about homelessness in Suffolk. 

Their CEO Claire Staddon said: “We are aware of the alarming situation in Suffolk, and these new figures coupled with the news of housing support cuts by Suffolk County Council creates a very worrying backdrop for vulnerable people in Suffolk. 

“In the past year, we have seen a real uplift in people applying to live in our community accommodation and those attending our drop-in wellbeing hubs."