Decision details
Decision to support families with children entitled to free school meals by providing a food vouchers during the February half term
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance (Historic)
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 4,505 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 for the week
of the February half-term.
Consumer prices, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI),
were 16.40% higher in November 2022 than a year before. The CPI is
also forecast to remain above 8.6% for the remainder of 2022 into
2023. 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 Household Support Fund. 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.
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: 26/01/2023
Date of decision: 24/01/2023
Accompanying Documents: