A COMMITMENT to help families who receive free school meals will continue until at least May 2023, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council has said.
In his speech to a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, July 21, Cllr Clive Jones promised that the support during school holidays would be extended and that by announcing it now it would bring great comfort to recipients.
“This support will help them to budget and prioritise their spending at a time when they are being hit from all directions,” he said.
He warned that while central government had provided funding for this summer, there was no guarantee this would continue.
“We all are aware that there is a serious cost of living crisis which is hitting all of us,” told the chamber.
“This Lib Dem administration and our colleagues are committed to help the most vulnerable in our community wherever we can.”
He added: “Hopefully, there will be further government support during the school holidays but if there isn’t we will step in.
“This confirmation that help will be there will be welcomed by 2,000 families in the borough.”
This was echoed by Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Executive Member for Equalities, Inclusion and Fighting Poverty, who said she was delighted that this move had been announced in the council chamber.
“We hope that by committing to support those who rely on benefits related free school meals during the school holidays, will take a weight off the mind of the parents who are facing the biggest challenges in the current cost-of-living crisis,” she said, adding that distribution of the household support funds was well underway with the support of voluntary sector partners.
More than 1,000 households had applied for this additional support, given by groups such as First Days Children’s Charity.
And where households had problems using the vouchers, the council and the Hardship Alliance are “working proactively to find solutions”.
She called on councillors to assure residents “we are doing everything that we can to get this much- needed support to them.”
