Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, responding to the Local Government Association warning that the Government scrapping the Local Welfare Assistance Fund could leave Councils unable to support vulnerable people, said:

“The Local Government Association is right to warn of the damaging impact of axing this fund on the poorest and most vulnerable. Under this Government hundreds of thousands are being forced to rely on food banks to survive. Labour would act to help hard-pressed families by freezing energy prices, helping more employers to pay the minimum wage and scrapping the Bedroom Tax.”