- Havering to receive £664,716 from government for food and supplies for vulnerable households as part of £170 million package
- Extension of school holiday programme providing food and activities for young people also announced
- Prime Minister reaffirms Conservatives’ commitment to preventing childhood hunger
Families that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and need extra support this winter with food and bills will benefit from a new £170 million scheme unveiled by the Government.
The Covid Winter Grant Scheme will see councils across England share £170 million in additional, ring-fenced funding to help vulnerable families and individuals, with Havering receiving £664,716.
This will prevent children from going hungry this winter and ensure local families get the help they need. It builds on the £63 million already provided to councils this year to assist those struggling to buy food and essentials.
A further £220 million will be invested in extending the Holiday and Food Programme until next Christmas, meaning that all children eligible for Free School Meals will have the option to join a holiday-time programme that provides healthy food and fun activities during the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays next year.
Andrew Rosindell M.P. said:
“No child should ever go hungry, and the extra £664,716 for Havering will ensure local families that need extra support with food and bills this winter can access it, which is very welcome news.
I’m also pleased that the Prime Minister has announced the extension of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides healthy food and activities for children during the school holidays and has a massive impact on disadvantaged young people in our Havering, to cover Easter, Summer and Christmas next year.
This doesn't change the fact that the reason why this is needed is because of the economic impact of lockdown on families in my and other constituencies. The best way out of this remains to lift restrictions."
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, The Rt Hon. Therese Coffey M.P. said:
“We want to make sure vulnerable people are cared for throughout this difficult time and, above all, no one should go hungry or be unable to pay their bills this winter.
We know this has been a challenging time for many and we have consistently supported the lowest-paid families, protecting 9 million jobs with furlough and boosting welfare support by £9.3 billion.
This package builds on that support and by extending our successful Holiday Activities and Food programme as well as funding a £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme to ensure families get the help they need.”
