Central Bedfordshire Council confirms £2.6m cost of living support plan

Central Bedfordshire Council has agreed how it will spend more than £2.6 million from the Government’s Household Support Fund to help residents struggling with the cost of living.

The fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, offers targeted assistance with essentials such as food, energy and other critical living costs. This latest round of funding — the seventh since the scheme began — will run until March 2026.

Some of the money has already been used to support families during the summer holidays. More than 8,500 children eligible for free school meals received supermarket vouchers worth £17.50 per child, per week. Care leavers aged 18 to 25 have also benefited, with almost £63,000 set aside for supermarket vouchers to help them cover essentials.

A further £430,000 will go to local charities and community groups, allowing them to distribute food and provide utility and living cost vouchers to eligible households. The council’s Children’s Centre Crisis Fund will receive £200,000, offering immediate support to families referred by public services such as health, housing, and education. A new Adults Crisis Fund worth £150,000 will also be created to help adults facing food or fuel poverty.

Cllr John Baker, Executive Member for Finance, said:

“The council’s administration was pleased to agree another round of funding for important causes that are selected to support the least well-off residents.

“Funding included more money for families, through our Children’s Centre Crisis Fund and additional support for those in receipt of Free School Meals; vulnerable adults through our Adult’s Crisis Fund; and charitable groups that are targeting food and fuel vouchers to those most in need.