West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed plans to help local vulnerable families through the winter months with an additional £170 million.

Worcestershire County Council has been allocated £1.5 million to help families most affected by the global pandemic, offering them extra support this winter with food and bills.

This Covid Winter Grant Scheme comes on top of £63 million already provided to councils this year to assist those struggling to buy food and essentials.

A further £220 million will be invested in extending the Holiday and Food Programme until next Christmas, meaning that all children eligible for Free School Meals will have the option to join a holiday-time programme that provides healthy food and fun activities during the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays next year.

Harriett commented: “I am proud that £9 billion extra was put into the welfare system earlier this year, to help children from low income families, and over the last few weeks, our local councils have been able to share how they have used this extra money to help out including donations to food banks and other targeted support.

“The Covid Winter Grant will extend this existing support and provide an important extra level of help for those who may be facing extra financial challenges as a result of the global pandemic.

“The Government has delivered a range of support packages, for businesses and self-employed people to help to protect jobs and livelihoods and it is right that we continue to evolve the way support is delivered for the more vulnerable in society as we continue to deal with the challenges of Covid-19.”