£1.5m additional government funding to support families over the Easter holidays ​

Over the Easter holidays, the Council will be distributing supermarket vouchers to every child eligible for free school meals in Central Bedfordshire to help with food costs. Anyone who is eligible for support will be contacted directly by the Council, and more information about other groups eligible for support will be made available on the Council’s website in due course.

Councillor Hayley Whitaker, Deputy Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “We are delighted that the Government has extended the Household Support Fund for a further six months, as it will ensure that families in our community do not go hungry during the Easter holidays. No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, and this funding will help alleviate that concern for many families in Central Bedfordshire.”

For more information about the Household Support Fund, visit the Council’s website:  www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/hsg

This Easter, the Council will further support families with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free, fun activities for children who receive benefits based free school meals and are in Reception through to year 11 at school – a requirement of the Department for Education who fund the programme.

All children who attend face-to-face activities will be provided with healthy snacks and lunch. Sessions are inclusive so are suitable for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). More information is available at: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/holiday-activities