Currently there is government funding to cover free school meals during school holidays for children who would normally receive them during term time.
However, there is no guarantee that this funding will be extended after this year’s summer holidays.
On Thursday, May 19, following the annual council meeting, I and my Lib Dem colleagues were delighted to take over responsibility for the administration of the Borough council.
Rachel Bishop Firth was appointed as the Executive member for Equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty. This was the first time that this appointment had been made.
We all are aware that there is a serious cost of living crisis which is hitting all of us and our new Lib Dem administration is very well aware that we have to do whatever we can to help the least well off and vulnerable in our community.
At last weeks Full council meeting I was able to announce that the council will support free school meals during school holidays from the end of these summer holidays right through to May 2023.
This confirmation will be a great support and comfort to the families who are receiving free school meals.
This support will help them to budget and prioritise their spending at a time when they are being hit from all directions with:
- Increases in fuel costs, now nearly £2 a litre
- Massive increases in gas and electricity prices, with more to come in October
- Increases in national insurance tax
- Huge increases in food prices.
Generally everything is going up in shops with inflation at 10%. Much of this caused by the devaluation of the £ by 20% since Brexit.
This help will be welcomed by around 2000 families in the borough.
