A more resilient future: Rebuilding discretionary crisis support in England

For people trying to survive on a low income, life events or other financial shocks are more likely to result in hardship. Discretionary crisis support is needed in any system designed to protect against deep financial hardship to provide timely, effective relief and prevent a more sustained crisis.  

Despite the benefits, discretionary crisis support in England is in a sorry state.  

Local authority budgets to deliver discretionary support to people facing a financial crisis  have not been ring-fenced and have faced significant real-terms cuts over the last decade. In many places, charities and community organisations like food banks are relied upon to fill the gaps in support.

A review of the evidence

Trussell has carried out an evidence review to address the question: “What does effective local crisis support look like?” The review took an in-depth look at 38 pieces of evidence, drawing out findings relevant to the UK government and local authorities in England.

Alongside this evidence review we have published a report exploring in detail the case for a new, permanent and effective system of discretionary local crisis support in England and our recommendations for delivering this.  

Key findings and recommendations

Alongside a fit for purpose social security system, people need to have somewhere to turn in a financial crisis or emergency to get cash-first help quickly and connect them to advice and support that can prevent the situation getting worse, building financial resilience.

This would help ensure communities can move away from using emergency food to fill the gaps in support because there is a permanent system of effective, dignified and easy to access crisis and resilience support in every area.