'Hit and miss' whether kids get food they need as holiday vouchers value slumps

27 July 2023 , 09:13

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Food inflation rose by 17.4% in the year to June (Image: PA)

Families entitled to free school meals are not able to get as much food with the vouchers and payments they are given during the school holidays.

More than two-thirds of local councils in England have either cut or kept the value of support offered to help low-income households the same since last year.

Combined with soaring prices in shops, it means many families are not able to get the same amount of food as they could have done previously.

The funding is drawn from the Government's £843million Household Support Fund with many councils offering either food vouchers or payments to families in receipt of free school meals.

The amount given depends on area, but in some places for example parents get £75 per child for the entire six-week break.

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The research from the BBC shows that of the 92 local authorities - out of 153 in England - that shared data, 10 have given lower payments or vouchers than last summer.

The figures show 57 councils have kept the amount the same while 25 councils have increased the value of vouchers or payments.

But of those which have increased support 10 have still lost value because they did not increase in line with food inflation, which rose by 17.4% in the year to June.

Alison Garnham, the Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Group, said: "We've reached a low point if it's hit and miss whether children get the food they need in the summer, depending where they live.

"The underlying problem is that so many families don't have enough money to live on year-round and that's on central government - not local authorities - to tackle."

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson said: "The cost of living crisis is crushing families right across the UK, and with food inflation so high we are seeing the mortifying cost.

"This uncaring government needs to get a grip. The Conservatives need to take action now, starting by expanding free school meals to more children and finally putting in place a proper plan to cut food prices."

The Department for Education told the BBC it is taking action in England "to support families and boost children's life chances".

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Ashley Cowburn