Purpose

The free school meal system is an important
component of the support that is provided to low-income families.
Providing vouchers in the school holidays for children entitled to
free school meals is an extension to this support and will benefit
over 4,653 children. Through this proposal, primary and secondary
aged school pupils who are eligible for benefits related free
school meals will receive a food voucher of £90 for the
school summer holiday period.

Consumer prices, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI),
were 7.9% higher in May 2023 than a year before. Low-income
households spend a larger proportion than average on energy and
food so will be more affected by price increases.

Herefordshire Council has received an allocation of
£2,659,203.57 from the Department of Works and Pensions under
the Household Support Fund. The expectation is that the funding
should be used primarily to support households in the most need,
particularly those including children and pensioners who would
otherwise struggle with energy, food and water bills as well as
other essential costs.

By utilising the funding from government, this will have a positive
impact on low income families and child poverty by minimising the
debt burden on those that struggle to pay essential bills.