THE leader of City of York Council has defended the authority's position over limiting food and fuel vouchers for the most in-need - amid opposition claims of a ‘cliff-edge drop’ in support.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) - where local authorities receive government grants to help residents who are struggling to pay energy and water bills, and to buy food and essential items - is due to end on September 30.

Introduced by the last Conservative government in 2021, City of York Council received a government HSF grant of just over £2 million in the last financial year to add to its own contribution, but this year the amount is £1.037 million due to the cut-off date.

However, reports in the Financial Times yesterday (August 27) seemed to indicate that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, was likely to agree a fifth extension to the fund.

In March, Councillor Katie Lomas, who was executive member for finance, performance, major projects and equalities at the time, ratified a decision of the council's director of customer and communities to limit the number of food and fuel vouchers for each qualifying family from three to one.

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Council documents said available funds were falling and the decision was made to ‘try and ensure vouchers remain for those families most in need of support through to March 2025’.

This month, York Liberal Democrats claimed that six out of 10 local councils – including York - will be ‘unable to provide extra welfare support from September’ and called for the HSF to be extended by six months to the end of this financial year.

The opposition group claimed a £400,000 budget amendment it tabled earlier in the year would have covered the cost of the HSF extension and kept the award of vouchers at the same level.

A spokesperson for York Liberal Democrats said a recent study conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) found more than four out of five councils in England expect more demand for welfare support over the winter, citing the Chancellor's decision to means-test winter fuel allowances for pensioners.

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Councillor Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for economy said: “The Household Support Fund is a vital safety net for vulnerable residents struggling with the cost of living, which the council is using to target help to those most in need, but is currently due to run out in a matter of weeks.

"We are approaching another cliff edge before the current fund runs out and we urge the council or government to urgently extend this for at least another six months, to help support those most affected through the winter when energy bills in particular are expected to be higher.”

Leader of City of York Council, Councillor Claire Douglas said: “Like many councils and MPs across the country, York has been making the case to Government for an extension to the Household Support Fund.

“This includes me instigating a letter from all Yorkshire leaders earlier this year calling for an extension - this lobbying continues with the new government.

“York has taken the decision to spread out its remaining funding over 12 months so we don’t see a cliff-edge drop in support at the end of September.

“We remain hopeful that the Government will find a solution before April 2025 and will be doing all we can in the meantime to make the case.

“The Liberal Democrat-proposed budget in February sought to use one year only funding for spend that occurs every year, something the council’s chief finance officer warned against.

“We will always prioritise those most in need but must avoid taking the council towards a financial precipice, or the consequences for every resident will be far worse.”