COVID winter fund concerns

摘要

District chiefs have been left disappointed after the Government confirmed a new £170m COVID winter grant scheme will be distributed by upper-tier local authorities. At least 80% of the funding will be used to help families pay for bills and provide food for children over the holidays after a high-profile campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals. The Government said the decision to distribute the money via upper-tier local authorities 'built upon' the £63m local welfare assistance fund to support the most vulnerable families earlier this year. However, district sources described the distribution through counties as worrying because they are responsible for hardship and welfare. One district chief executive said: 'It's disappointing that this was decided in advance without talking to local government.'