Stockport council has apologised after a delay to support vouchers caused fears that people would go hungry.

Some residents said they had not received their email vouchers for the period up to September 30, which are used by people to pay for essentials such as energy bills and food.

The vouchers are given to those with children who receive free school meals, local council tax support, or housing benefit, and can be exchanged for £105 in cash for each eligible child at post offices.

Nicola, 43, from Offerton, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on August 6 that she had not received her voucher, and that people were "really worried" after being told to wait two weeks for a response from the council.

She added: "It's a lot of money and it would go very far for a family. No one [at the council] seems to be taking any responsibility for it, we're being fobbed off and people could be starving in 14 days, but I don't think they see it as a problem."

Another resident said the situation had left Stockport families "struggling."

Others posting on Facebook said they had contacted the council and were left waiting more than a week without any update about the situation.

The town hall said the delay was down to an issue with the Post Office email system, which has now been resolved and the vouchers resent to residents.

Stockport Town Hall (Image - Nub News)

A council spokesperson said: "We fully understand the impact that the delay in receiving family support vouchers has had on some families, particularly at this time of year, due to a fault within the Post Office email system that affected the way the emails were received by residents.

"The council and the Post Office are sorry for the distress that this has caused and are pleased that this issue has been resolved quickly and diligently, with the vouchers resent and received yesterday (August 7).

"The Family Support Voucher is a supportive voucher and not a crisis voucher – for families in crisis they should visit our Cost of living support webpages.

"If residents are in crisis, they will be offered alternative and suitable support which includes discretionary payments from trusted partners; foodbanks; school uniform help and much more."

More than two-thirds of the 9,300 vouchers have been redeemed since July, the council added, a figure which is expected to grow in the coming days.

But Labour councillors raised concerns over how the issue was handled by the Lib Dem administration in charge at Stockport town hall.

Cllr Claire Vibert said: "The summer holidays are a tricky time for lots of families right across Stockport and so this delay couldn't have come at a worse time.

"It's concerning that the Lib Dem administration doesn't seem to be taking the impact of this delay seriously, and reflects their broader lack of commitment to supporting residents experiencing poverty in our borough"

Cllr Rachel Wise said she received 40 Facebook messages and 51 emails in less than 12 hours about the issue, and redirected one woman to the office of Stockport MP Navendu Mishra after she was left relying on the vouchers to help pay her rent and grocery shopping.

Cllr Wise added: "I'm concerned that failing to spot the problem and address it might have left some families in very straitened circumstances.

"I hope the administration will make sure that everyone affected by the delay is kept informed about when they can expect their vouchers and what the new redemption dates are."

(Image - Nub News)

Stockport council's deputy leader, Cllr Mark Roberts, defended the town hall's response to the delay.

He said: "The Liberal Democrats will take no lectures from the Labour Group on tackling poverty when their party's government continue to refuse to lift the two child benefit cap, a key contributor to families struggling through the summer and beyond.

"My genuine ask of local members is, rather than jumping to sensationalisation and attempts at political point scoring in the local press, they signpost those people in need to the right places, and constructively engage in the work the Liberal Democrat administration is delivering to try and tackle poverty in our area.

"This is more than just creating click bait quotes, these are people struggling with the cost of living.

"The problem has been identified and dealt with, with an apology from the Post Office and the council has communicated with those families affected.

"It simply isn't true to suggest nobody is interested or has done anything."

Mr Roberts added: "If you are struggling with the cost of living and need a helping hand to navigate all of the support available, please call the council on 0161 474 214.

"There is also a clear link on the council website with lots more information about the support available."

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