The funding for the support vulnerable families with food costs outside of school term time is provided through a Government grant called the Household Support Fund. This grant funding comes with specific rules on how it can be used. The rules for the funding allocated to Shropshire Council and all other English local authorities from 1 April to September 2022 includes a new requirement for a third of the money to be allocated to support vulnerable pensioners in our community.
This change in the rules has meant that we have had to reallocate funding used to support families with children to support pensioners. As a result Shropshire Council is unable to allocate as much funding to support vulnerable families with food costs this summer as it did last summer. We supported families at Whitsun half-term, but are only able to provide support for half of the summer holidays 2022, at £15 per week for 3 weeks.
We understand that times are hard with the cost of living crisis and want to assure parents that there is additional support on offer in Shropshire. All children eligible for free school meals can access free food and activities over summer through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Visit our website or ask your school for more information.
If any families struggling to meet essential living costs they can apply for help from our local welfare provision funding. You can speak to the team on 0345 678 9078.
Regards
Phil Wilson
Service Manager – Business Support
Learning & Skills
People Directorate
