Decision details
Decision to support families with children entitled to free school meals by providing a food vouchers during the Christmas Holiday period
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The free school meal system is an important
component of the support that is provided to low-income families.
Providing vouchers in the school holidays for children entitled to
free school meals is an extension to this support and will benefit
over 4,700 children. Through this proposal, primary and secondary
aged school pupils who are eligible for benefits related free
school meals will receive a food voucher of £20 per week
throughout the Christmas Holiday period.
Consumer prices, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI),
were 8.6% higher in August 2022 than a year before. The CPI is also
forecast to remain above 8.6% for the remainder of 2022 into 2023,
peaking at 14% in Quarter 4 2022. Low-income households spend a
larger proportion than average on energy and food so will be more
affected by price increases.
Herefordshire Council has received an allocation of
£1,329,601.78 from the Department of Works and Pensions under
the next phase of the Household Support Fund which was confirmed on
1st October 2022.The expectation is that the funding should be used
primarily to support households in the most need, particularly
those including children and pensioners who would otherwise
struggle with energy, food and water bills as well as other
essential costs. This is part of wider offer that is being
developed as part of the allocation of the Household Support
Fund.
By utilising the funding from government, this will have a positive
impact on low income families and child poverty by minimising the
debt burden on those that struggle to pay essential bills.
Contact: Andrew Lovegrove, Director of Resources and Assurance Email: Andrew.Lovegrove@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Publication date: 17/11/2022
Date of decision: 15/11/2022
Accompanying Documents: