UPDATE: |Struggling households to benefit from Greater Manchester borough’s £4.1m funding boost News

The household support fund was extended by the government to support families in need

Food banks, warm homes and food vouchers will benefit from a slice of a £4.1m funding boost in Rochdale.

Town hall chiefs have approved how they will use the latest round of HSF cash in the borough.

The council received £4,119,569.63 to be spent between April 2025 and March 2026 – a reduction of £555,198 from the last round of government funding.

The money is generally used to support households that would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills, or meet other essential living costs. But individual local authorities choose how to actually spend the money.

Rochdale Council’s cash will go towards food e-vouchers for children during school holidays; short term assistance for families struggling to buy food; supporting households with utility bills; helping re-stock food banks and community centres; prevention work in vulnerable areas; and the Christmas toy appeal.

Coun Sue Smith, portfolio holder for communities and cooperation, welcomed the funding allocation at the meeting in the council’s headquarters, Number One Riverside.

She told the meeting on April 17: “I think we held our breath and it was a massive relief when we were told we got this funding again.

“It is a £550,000 reduction so we have to make changes but we can still support those families in need.”

The plan was wholeheartedly approved by the cabinet, with council leader Coun Neil Emmott saying ‘we never say no to money’.

—

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here.

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.

If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.