 |
answer text |
<p>The Government does not have any role in the operation of foodbanks. Foodbanks
are independent, charitable organisations which bring people in local communities
together to support one another. This is a great example of the generosity of spirit
of communities across the country.</p><p>The Government is providing over £100 million
of support for charities and community organisations in England to support the impacts
of the increase in cost of living. This funding is supporting charities and community
organisations right now through the £76 million Community Organisations Cost of Living
Fund. This fund is awarding funding to frontline organisations supporting vulnerable
households, including those which deliver food.</p><p>The second strand of the package,
the £25.5 million VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme, was opened in December 2023. This
scheme will support frontline charities, community organisations and social enterprises
across England to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.</p><p>The scheme has
two main components:</p><ol><li>Independent Energy Assessment (IEA): This involves
arranging an independent energy assessor to help identify energy-saving opportunities.</li><li>Capital
Grants: Grants can be used to install capital energy efficiency measures, such as
improving insulation or installing heat pumps.</li></ol><p>Organisations can first
apply for an Independent Energy Assessment. Having completed the IEA, they can then
apply, if they are eligible, for a capital grant between £2,000 and £150,000 to install
capital energy measures. Applications for IEAs opened in December 2023 and applications
for capital funding will be open through three rounds, starting from the second half
of January 2024. All capital projects will need to be completed by March 2025.</p><p>Taken
together, total support over 2022/23-2024/25 to help households with the high cost
of living amounts to £104 billion – an average of £3,700 per UK household.</p>
|
|
