Top up to the 2026/27 Crisis and Resilience Fund to support low-income heating oil households following Government announcement on 16 March 2026

Purpose

This supplement provides an  update to the Crisis and Resilience Fund – East Sussex Delivery Plan Framework report regarding the top‑up to the 2026/27 Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) announced by the Prime Minister on 16 March 2026. It is recommended that the Lead Member considers delegation of authority to the Director of Adult, Social Care and Health to determine the use and distribution of the additional CRF top‑up enable the Council to respond immediately to residents in acute financial need due to the sudden rise in heating oil costs.

Background

On 16 March 2026, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness and the Minister of State for Employment issued a joint letter confirming targeted support for low‑income households dependent on heating experiencing severe hardship linked to the spike in heating oil prices (Appendix 1). The Government has allocated £27 million nationally via the CRF, with East Sussex allocated £567,211.

The letter confirms:

· Authorities are expected to make support available immediately, before funds are formally paid next financial year.

· Funding is intended for residents facing acute hardship where there is a risk of losing access to heating or hot water.

· The Department for Work and Pensions will amend CRF guidance to explicitly allow support for households in crisis due to rising heating oil costs.

· No additional reporting or conditions will be required.

The published Lead Member report predates the Government announcement. Without additional approval, the Council would be unable to act at the pace expected by Government, who state support should be made available “from today” to households in crisis.  Officers need to quickly establish application routes to support households at risk.

Given the nature of this emergency support and the expectation of immediate delivery, delegated authority to the Director of Adult Social Care & Health will ensure residents receive timely financial assistance.

Revised Recommendations

The Lead Member is therefore recommended to:

1) Note the background to Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) and the work that is completed and ongoing to develop our local East Sussex CRF Delivery Plan as set out in the report and the supplement;

2) Agree to the overall approach and high-level Delivery Plan Framework, noting that detail will be further developed and appropriate approvals sought for specific elements of the scheme;

3) Delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health to determine the use and distribution of the additional CRF top‑up allocation of £567,211 announced on 16 March 2026, to enable immediate support for residents in acute need arising from increased heating oil costs; and

4)  Delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services to take any actions necessary in relation to the implementation of the Crisis and Resilience Fund Delivery Plan.

MARK STAINTON

Director of Adult Social Care and Health

Contact Officer: Mark Hendriks, Head of Partnerships 

Tel. No. 07701 394501

Email: mark.hendriks@eastsussex.gov.uk

Appendix 1:

Top up to the 2026/27 Crisis and Resilience Fund to support low-income heating oil households