Published: 19/11/2020 13:40:00

Following an Extraordinary Council meeting held earlier this week there was cross-party support for our commitment to ensure children and vulnerable households will not go hungry due to the pandemic this winter.

Cllr Teresa Heritage, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said:

“The Government’s announcement of £2.49m additional funding to support the most vulnerable in our communities through the new winter grant scheme is very welcome.

 “Over recent months Hertfordshire County Council and its partners have provided vital support across the county to those suffering from financial pressure as a result of the pandemic. We are pleased this additional funding will help the hardest-hit families and individuals, as well as provide food for children who need it over the holidays. Ultimately, no child in Hertfordshire should go hungry, and we are working hard to ensure this is the case.”

The funding underpins our commitment to ensure that children and vulnerable households will not go hungry or be without essential items over the winter period, including the Christmas and February half-term holidays. We have also pledged to extend this commitment to the Easter break and May half-term in 2021. Food vouchers to the value of £15 per week for each child in the county that is eligible to receive free school meals outside of the Universal Infant Free school meal programme will be allocated during the Christmas and February half-term school holidays.

We also welcomed the Government’s national plans for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, for the Easter, Summer and Christmas 2021 school holidays.

We are currently working through plans to deliver this support with schools who will provide an update to eligible families very shortly. To check if you are eligible for free school meals and to apply visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals