Covid winter grant scheme: Councils roll-out government-funded holiday hunger support

Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a £170m package for councils to support vulnerable children and families over winter including funding for meals while schools are closed.

• Analysis: Holiday hunger funding plans

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The package also includes funding free school meals during schools holidays until Easter 2021 following a high profile campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford.

A letter sent to councils prior to funding being received by local authorities advises that at least 80 per cent of the total funding should be ringfenced to support families with children to be spent on food, water and energy bills.

However, the letter, seen by CYP Now, suggests that eligibility for funding extends to just “some families who normally have access to free school meals during term time” and gives councils flexibility to provide families with money, food or supermarket vouchers.

Funding has been allocated to local authorities based on the population of each area weighted with levels of deprivation, the letter said, offering estimates of between £5.1m for Birmingham City Council and £63,000 for Rutland County Council. The City of London and Isles of Scilly were also offered smaller sums.

Oxfordshire County Council has now received £1.37m from the government scheme and “is working closely with the city and district councils to identify those most in need of assistance within the rules of the scheme and the most effective ways of delivering support”, a spokesman said.

The county council has announced that it will run a holiday hunger scheme to support families eligible for free school meals during holidays.

Over the Christmas, February and Easter breaks, £15 per week per child in food vouchers or equivalent support will be provided through schools for each holiday week, council leaders have said. 

“The county council is working in partnership with schools so that all those who may be suffering hardship can benefit from the scheme, including ensuring flexibility so that those not currently accessing free school meals, can receive the support they need,” a spokesman added.

The county council is working with district councils to look at the possibility of equivalent payments for families with children in early years settings who are most at risk of economic hardship and with very young children or other children not in formal childcare.

A scheme to support care leavers at risk of hardship is also being considered. 

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This Christmas will be different and difficult for every one of us, but I am determined that no resident will go without essentials. Families who are struggling because of the impact of Covid-19 will receive essential support to get them through the winter.

“Our schemes are aimed at supporting families with children, with most of the money to be spent on this group. Other households struggling directly or indirectly due to the impact of Covid-19 will also be assisted with the costs of food and other essential items.

“We know that ‘holiday hunger’ remains a serious concern for many families and we are determined to do everything we can to alleviate those worries.”  

Wirral Council has also announced that it has secured £1.2m from the grant scheme.

The council is working with community and voluntary sector partners, including food distribution groups to ensure the fund will reach “those with the greatest welfare needs”, it has said. 

Janette Williamson, leader of Wirral Council, said: “No child should ever go hungry, have to endure a home that isn’t heated, or go without the essential items that most of us take for granted.

“Since the start of the health emergency the council and its community and voluntary sector partners have made monumental efforts to support our most vulnerable residents.

"This much-needed funding will allow us to continue that vital work and will help thousands of local children and vulnerable people, which is needed more than ever as the cold weather draws in.”