Crisis and Resilience Fund to provide £1bn a year from April 2026

Introduction: Why the Crisis and Resilience Fund matters

The crisis and resilience fund is a new UK government scheme aimed at reducing reliance on emergency food parcels and strengthening local support for households in need. Opening on 1 April 2026, the fund’s scale and design make it a significant development for councils, charities and people facing short-term financial shocks. Understanding what the fund offers and how it differs from previous schemes is important for those seeking support and for local authorities planning services.

Main details: Funding, timing and how it works

Three-year settlement and funding levels

The crisis and resilience fund will provide £1bn annually to councils for the next three years from the start of April. This three-year settlement is intended to give councils greater certainty and planning capacity compared with shorter-term initiatives.

Direct cash access and differences from prior schemes

Unlike past schemes such as the Household Support Fund, councils will now be able to offer direct access to cash as a form of support. The government has emphasised this approach as a way to fulfil its manifesto pledge of ending ‘mass reliance on emergency food parcels’. The available information highlights that guidance will explain what the crisis and resilience fund is and how it differs from the Household Support Fund, and outlines how a three-year settlement enables more sustained local responses.

Information and engagement

A short animation has been produced to explain the new crisis and resilience fund and will be available from the fund’s launch on 1 April 2026. Local councils will be the primary delivery partners, and details about eligibility and how to apply for government cash payouts are expected to be set out by councils and published in local guidance.

Responses and implications

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, described the initiative as ‘a vital step towards ensuring no-one is forced to turn to a food bank to get by, and represents important progress on the government’s manifesto commitment to ending the need for emergency food.’ Her response underlines the charity sector’s view that the fund could reduce emergency food reliance if implemented effectively.

Conclusion: What readers should watch for

The crisis and resilience fund represents a material change in how central funding is distributed to councils, with annual £1bn over three years and new scope for direct cash support. Readers should watch for local council announcements after 1 April 2026, review the short animation for an overview, and consult local guidance to understand eligibility and application routes. The fund’s three-year horizon could enable better planning and more targeted local responses, with potential to reduce dependence on foodbanks if councils use the flexibility to deliver timely cash support.