Issue

financial hardship

11 stories · discussed at 4 council meetings · 11 councils

Councils are establishing new Crisis and Resilience Funds and extending support to residents facing financial hardship.

Croydon Council approved a £19.7 million Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) in September 2026, to be distributed from April 2026 to March 2029 for resident support and long-term resilience. This follows Haringey Council's approval in July 2026 of an interim policy for its 2026/27 CRF, which includes extending free school meal holiday vouchers until September 2026.

In July 2026, Haringey Council also expanded its financial support team with a £1.74 million investment. Camden Council's Cabinet approved a £1 million extension for the Camden Advice Network from April 2027 to March 2028. Several councils, including Islington, Bexley, Barking and Dagenham, Bromley, and Enfield, launched new Crisis and Resilience Funds in March 2026, often replacing previous Household Support Funds.

Croydon Council is initiating a consultation on changes to its Council Tax Support scheme, discussed in September 2026. Waltham Forest Council decided in December 2025 to continue its Council Tax Support scheme for the 2026/27 billing year. Harrow Council has this topic on its agenda for a Council meeting in October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council approved a £19.7 million fund for crisis support in September 2026. Source
  2. Haringey Council approved a £1.74 million investment to expand its financial support team in July 2026. Source
  3. Haringey Council approved an interim policy for the 2026/27 Crisis and Resilience Fund in July 2026. Source 1 Source 2
  4. Camden Council's Cabinet approved a £1 million extension for the Camden Advice Network from April 2027 to March 2028 in July 2026. Source
  5. Islington Council launched a three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund in March 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Council approves £19.7m fund for crisis support Croydon Council has approved a £19.7 million fund to support residents facing financial hardship and to build long-term resilience. Croydon 27 September 2026
  2. Haringey Council Expands Financial Support Team with £1.74 Million Investment Haringey Council has significantly expanded its financial support team as part of a broader initiative to assist residents facing financial hardship. The move, approved at a... Haringey 14 July 2026
  3. Haringey tackles child poverty with new fund Haringey Council has launched a new fund to tackle child poverty and support residents facing financial hardship, with significant funding allocated to key initiatives. Haringey 14 July 2026
  4. Haringey boosts support for struggling families Haringey Council has significantly boosted its support for struggling families by approving an interim policy for the 2026/27 Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). The decision,... Haringey 14 July 2026
  5. Camden Council Extends Funding for Advice Network Amid Financial Hardship Concerns Camden Council's Cabinet has approved a 12-month extension to funding for the Camden Advice Network (CAN), ensuring continued support for residents facing financial hardship. Camden 10 July 2026
  6. Islington Launches Three-Year Crisis and Resilience Fund to Combat Poverty Islington Council has launched a new Crisis and Resilience Fund aimed at tackling the root causes of financial hardship and providing support to residents facing poverty. The... Islington 27 March 2026
  7. Bexley Council Launches New Crisis and Resilience Fund for Residents Facing Financial Hardship Bexley Council has launched a new crisis and resilience fund, combining discretionary housing payments and the household support fund, to assist residents facing financial... Bexley 27 March 2026
  8. New £4.8m fund to help low-income households Barking and Dagenham Council has launched a new £4.8 million fund to provide a crucial safety net for low-income households facing financial hardship. The Crisis and Resilience... Barking and Dagenham 26 March 2026