Families with children and vulnerable people in Milton Keynes will benefit from a further £679,710 worth of funding from the Conservative Government as part of the COVID Local Support Grant.
The scheme was initially introduced in December and will now run until the end of September, in line with the end of other COVID-related support, with this extra funding taking the total allocation for MK to in excess of £1.8 million.
It will allow MK Council to support for families with children and vulnerable people through the pandemic and anyone who is in need of support should contact the council to find out how they can access it and what support will be available over the coming months.
The COVID Local Support Grant is in addition to the £220 million Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which has been scaled up to cover the whole of England across the major school holidays in 2021 – including this summer. The HAF will provide disadvantaged children across the country with healthy meals and enriching activities.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “I’m delighted the Conservative Government has extended this scheme to ensure families will continue to get the support they need as restrictions ease.
“Food vouchers and help with heating costs over the winter months funded by the Government have been absolutely vital for so many people in Milton Keynes.”
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, commented: “I welcome this move by the Conservative Government to extend its support to families and vulnerable people in Milton Keynes.
"This support has been important for those in need during the Winter months, and I am glad that it will continue to support residents during the summer as well.”
Will Quince, the Minister for Welfare Delivery, added: “This grant is ensuring that thousands of families get help with food and essential utility bills as we move back towards normality.
“The new funding extends this lifeline to those most in need in the coming months as we continue to help families back on their feet, including supporting people back into work through our multi-billion pound Plan for Jobs.”