THE Government has confirmed a more than ten percent decrease in this year’s Household Support Fund allocated to Devon County Council (DCC).

DCC has expressed its disappointment at the 11.87 percent reduction.

Set up in 2021, the fund was introduced to help individuals and families that are struggling financially with the rising cost of living, such as the costs of energy, food, and other essential household items.

DCC chose to channel its pot into providing a range of support, including the provision of Free School Meal holiday vouchers to families with children and young people who are eligible for free school meals during term time.

In light of the Government’s announcement, DCC will receive £8.9million, whereas the year prior it received £10.1million.

DCC says that the impact is likely to hit some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, at a time of continued high prices for food, fuel, and other essential household items.

However, the council have confirmed that it will maintain the Free School Meal holiday vouchers, at the same £15 per week per eligible child level, for this Easter and May half-term holidays.

Beyond that though, with Devon County Council heading towards local elections on May 1, it will be a decision for the council’s new administration about how it will allocate the reduced purse, the present administration has said.

Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for communities, said: ‘It’s a sorry state that so many individuals and families in Devon, and nationwide, should be struggling so much with the continued high costs of living. However, it’s a truth.

‘It’s therefore especially disappointing that as some other benefits – winter fuel payments for example – have been removed for some residents, and when there are so many individuals and families having to decide whether to spend what they have on food or energy, that the Household Support Fund is now also being reduced.

‘We can’t change that, but we can help buy some time for families to help them budget by agreeing now that we’ll continue to provide the Free School Meal holiday vouchers at the same level per child for the Easter and May half term holidays.

‘After that though, it will be a decision for the new administration at Devon County Council to decide how it allocates the reduced pot of funding, working with our District Council colleagues, Citizen’s Advice Devon and other local community groups.’

The council will make a further announcement once its new administration is in place after the May elections, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands.