Supermarket vouchers, winter clothing and funding for utility bills are among the support now being offered to vulnerable families through the government’s COVID Winter Grant Scheme (CWGS), with the Isle of Wight Council receiving over £450,000 to support local residents.
Millions of pounds from the CWGS reached local authority bank accounts at the end November, helping councils from Cornwall to Cumbria to support vulnerable people this Christmas and beyond.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said:
“No child should have to worry about food or warmth this winter. We have worked with Councils across England to ensure the £170 million Covid Winter Grant delivers well-targeted support as quickly as possible, primarily focusing on heating and eating for disadvantaged families with children.”
The grants are focused on helping families buy essentials, with at least 80% of funds ring-fenced to be spent on food, energy and water bills, with 20% available for other associated essential costs. Councils can also offer support to vulnerable individuals and households without children.
The remainder of the funds will be given in 2021, as the scheme is designed to run until the end of March. The money is distributed to local authorities based on population size, whilst also weighting for deprivation in the local area.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Isle of Wight Council has received £456,845.34.
Please, Islanders, spare a thought for refugees from England this Christmas. Often alone, with no friends or family on our beloved Vectis, they bimble round quaint little towns looking lost and guilty at the same time. Maybe they could access these grants in the same way they snapped up houses which local families should have at an affordable price? It cannot be fun knowing everybody hates you….