The Leader of Hull City Council has called on the Government to confirm it will continue to provide funding which will allow for free school meals for all eligible families during school holiday periods.
Councillor Mike Ross has written to the Government ahead of changes coming into effect in April next year.
He said: “We’re currently able to provide free school meals to eligible families during school holiday periods because of how we use the Household Support Fund.
“It means this Christmas that eligible parents and carers will automatically receive a £15 voucher per week per eligible child, with no need to fill in any application.
“But the Household Support Fund will be replaced by the Government in April by a new scheme, the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
“Whilst precise details of how that Fund will work aren’t yet known, we are aware that draft policy suggests distributing free school meals vouchers won’t be permitted on a routine basis.
“This means that a time consuming and costly application process may end up having to be put in place and risks children in Hull losing out on this vital support.
“Our current way of doing things means that some of our most in need residents and their children don’t miss out on this help, and it also helps us to avoid additional admin costs.
“I’ve written to the Secretary of State spelling out the negative impacts that could come from any major changes to how free school meal vouchers are funded and administered.
“All children deserve the chance to grow up healthy, no matter where they live, and we will do all we can in Hull to help them access healthy food.”
For more information on the Household Support Fund in Hull, visit Household Support Fund | Hull.
To find out more about cost of living help in Hull, visit Cost of Living | Hull.