WIREDGOV

JRF responds to the Prime Minister's announcement of £63m in funding for local welfare assistance schemes.

Iain Porter, Policy & Partnerships Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said:

“This short-term intervention is a welcome first step which recognises the need to boost emergency financial support for families. This could provide a lifeline to some of those most at risk of hardship as we weather the coronavirus storm, although we await further details on whether funding will continue beyond the initial three month period.

“Increasing funding for local welfare assistance schemes is just one of the recommendations made by JRF and a coalition of other charities to prevent families being swept into poverty during the pandemic, as part of a Coronavirus Emergency Income Support Scheme.

“The government must now build on this commitment by boosting targeted benefits to families with children to prevent more families from reaching crisis point.”