29 March 2023 , 05:00
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Sadiq Khan will provide millions of meals to less well off children during the school holidays.
The London mayor has announced a £3.5million emergency funding package to ease the cost of living crisis.
Charities will be handed the cash to help supply 10million meals to low income families across the capital.
It follows Mr Khan’s decision to fund free school meals for all primary school pupils for a year from September.
Community partners will target the school holiday meals at the areas of London most in need.
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Mr Khan said: “The spiralling cost of living is hitting low-income Londoners particularly hard and it’s shocking so many people are struggling to put food on their table.
Sadiq Khan has announced a £3.5million emergency funding package to help families (PA)“I have repeatedly called on the Government to do more to help those in need and support families during the school holidays, but they have not provided the assistance that is urgently needed.
“That’s why I’m stepping in today with a major new emergency funding package that will provide around 10million free holiday meals to hundreds of thousands of Londoners most in need.
“I’m committed to doing all I can to support Londoners through this cost of living crisis and will continue to urge ministers to step forward and do the same as we build a more prosperous London for all.”
Jim Minton, chief executive of the Mayor’s Fund for London, said: “This new funding is a lifeline for thousands of young Londoners and their families, and will ensure that there is food available during every holiday period; including provision of recipe boxes for families, resources and nutritional information – as well as signposting to wider cost of living support.
“We’re delighted to be working with The Felix Project to include surplus food to help eliminate food waste. The Mayor’s investment will help deliver year-round support at a time when London’s families need it most.”
Charlotte Hill of The Felix Project said: “We know many parents are struggling to afford to put food on the table and rely on school food banks to top up their weekly shop, alongside free school meals for those who are eligible.
“When schools are closed families face increased costs and more stress trying to make sure they have enough to feed their children.
“That is why it is vital food provision continues during school holidays. We are delighted to receive this incredible support from the Mayor of London and be working with The Mayor’s Fund for London so we can guarantee to provide this lifeline for the next year.
“I hope it will help low-income families to reduce the ever-increasing pressure on their budgets.”
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