Government’s £500m support scheme failing Britain’s poorest households

Ministers' much-touted HSF programme criticised as local authorities run out of funding months too early

A key part of the government's response to the cost of living crisis has not been available to applicants for months in some parts of the country after councils ran out of money, the Observer can reveal.

The government launched the 500m Household Support Fund (HSF) last autumn to help poorer households with essentials. Ministers have highlighted the HSF in response to accusations it isn't doing enough to help people cope with soaring inflation. Just last week, work and pensions minister Chloe Smith repeatedly cited the HSF in an interview with Channel 4 News.