Buckinghamshire Council is to receive a £2.4 million funding boost to aid struggling households.

The council will continue to receive this government funding until March 2025 to support residents grappling with the cost of living.

The money will be used to assist low-income households and those facing financial hardship with energy costs, food, and other essentials.

The funds have been allocated through the Government's Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Arif Hussain, Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "This is excellent news that we have confirmation that we will receive £2.4m of the Household Support Fund to provide support for Buckinghamshire residents who are struggling with cost of living pressures.

"Previously, this fund has enabled us to provide a wide range of direct support and assistance for residents who are most in need.

"This further funding will allow us to continue to develop and deliver this support where it is most needed, including for pensioners who won’t receive the winter fuel payment this year."

The council has already used the fund between April and September 2024 to issue more than 30,000 digital food vouchers to around 15,000 young people, provide funding to support six food banks across Buckinghamshire, and assist over 1,300 residents who contacted their Helping Hand service.

The fund has been used in Buckinghamshire to assist residents via the council’s Helping Hand service, which manages applications for financial help.

The money has also been used to support local organisations including charities, and other schemes aimed at priority groups in need.