Eligible Hucknall kids to get free school meals during half-term and Christmas holidays

Eligible children in Hucknall will continue to receive free school meals during the school half-term and the Christmas holidays after Notts County Council committed to funding the lifeline service.
Families who are eligible will receive vouchersFamilies who are eligible will receive vouchers
Families who are eligible will receive vouchers

This means that more than 25,000 schoolchildren across the county will receive 250,000 meals this October half-term.

Coun Tracey Taylor, chairman of the children and young people’s committee, said that the council recognised the cost-of-living challenges were impacting on large numbers of people and was grateful to receive the funding to continue the support until the end of the year.

The £15-per-week vouchers will be distributed to those eligible by their schools.

It follows the government’s announcement early this week to support those most in need with the £500m Household Support Fund.

Coun Taylor said the grant would help families who most need it during the school holidays.

Coun Taylor added: “This will be very welcome news to families across Nottinghamshire and it will be one less thing for them to worry about this winter.

“This council was one of the first in the country to support the free school meals initiative in March 2020 and I’m very pleased that we will continue to back it.”

Coun Taylor praised the efficient and effective way the vouchers were distributed by schools and the close working relationship between the council and head teachers.She commented: “The council’s budget is under huge pressures, and while this is not a long-term solution, Government has made the funding available to support low-income families.”