✔️A cash-first, needs-led approach to crisis support

✔️Tackling the drivers of financial crisis, not the symptom of food insecurity

✔️Preventative support and building financial resilience for people most at risk of financial crisis

✔️A systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating outcomes

The CRF cannot solve the persistent hardship in our communities, which stems from problems in the social security system, but it can provide a lifeline in a crisis and help people onto a more secure financial footing.

To do this, we need to see a focus on the following priorities:

The commitment to multi-year funding is a major opportunity to reset local crisis support in England, moving away from patchwork provision and short-term funding rounds.

This is the kind of investment that, if delivered well, can reduce the need for #foodbanks to fill the gap in a crisis.

✔️ UK govt should build on the foundations of Local Welfare Assistance and the Household Support Fund to launch a new approach to local crisis support as part of the Spending Review.

Alongside ensuring our social security system is fit for purpose.

This means quick access to crisis grants to help people get back on their feet, linked to a system of joined up local services and support to build financial resilience and make it less likely someone will need crisis support again.

53% of people referred to @trusselluk.bsky.social food banks have faced an unexpected cost they struggled to pay in the previous 3 months.

To tackle hunger and hardship and drive down numbers needing to turn to food banks, we need an effective crisis support scheme in every single area.