£2.2m is made available for the most vulnerable across the county

EXTRA government funding will support vulnerable families in the Staffordshire Moorlands this winter.

Staffordshire County Council is to receive a total of £2.2million from the Government for food and supplies for vulnerable households

Funding from Government has been provided to councils, allowing families struggling to afford food and essentials over the Christmas period to access support in Staffordshire Moorlands.

The Covid Winter Grant Scheme will see councils across England share a total of £170million in additional, ring-fenced funding to help vulnerable families and individuals.

This will prevent children from going hungry this winter and ensure local families get the help they need. It builds on the £63million already provided to councils this year to assist those struggling to buy food and essentials.

Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley said: “I welcome the news that Staffordshire County Council has now received additional support to help people in the Moorlands.

“I will continue to work with the Government to ensure that local families continue to get the support they need, not just through the pandemic, but as we recover and rebuild after.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said: “No child should have to worry about food or warmth this winter.

“We have worked with councils across England to ensure the £170million Covid Winter Grant delivers welltargeted support as quickly as possible, primarily focusing on heating and eating for disadvantaged families with children.

“Our £170million commitment builds on the £63million already given to councils earlier this year and will ensure families get the help they need so that no one goes hungry this winter.”

The grants are focused on helping families buy essentials, with at least 80 per cent of funds ring-fenced to be spent on food, energy and water bills, with 20 per cent available for other associated essential costs. Councils can also offer support to vulnerable individuals and households without children.

This is all part of the Government’s long-term plan to tackle poor health, hunger and education.

Healthy Start scheme payments are also set to increase from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from next April.