Budget announces £200million to continue free school meals and school holiday activities
CHILDREN from hard-up families will continue to get free meals and activities in the school holidays in a £200million a year investment.
Rishi Sunak announced in today’s Autumn Budget 2021 that the government will spend millions of pounds a year on continuing the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
The scheme hands cash to councils to provide free holiday clubs and healthy food for children aged four to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals during term time.
The Chancellor confirmed today that £200million will be allocated annually to continue the initiative beyond this year.
While the scheme is aimed at children who receive free school meals, some government-funded spots are also available for those who don’t.
The list includes those in care, kids assessed as otherwise vulnerable, families living in areas of high deprivation and children with an education, health and care plan.
The rules on this differ depending on which council area you live in.
Many of the activities are also open for other kids for a small fee.
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Local authorities can decide how to spend their share of the money, and activities this year included gardening, crafts, bowling and trips to parks and the beach.
Who is eligible for free school meals?
Your child may be able to get free school meals during term time if you get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Older children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Read our Budget 2021 live blog for live updates
Other changes announced in todays budget included help for pubs, cheaper beer and extra cash for Universal Credit claimants.
Pubs were handed another major lifeline as business tax was slashed by 50% for hospitality, retail and leisure firms.
Mr Sunak confirmed that millions of Universal Credit claimants will be able to keep an extra £1,000 a year as he slashed the taper rate by 8%.
In a win for The Sun’s Make Universal Credit Work campaign, the Treasury will allow workers to keep more of the money they earn and incentivise people to take on extra work.
The Chancellor also announced £11.5bn to build 180,000 affordable homes with £2bn for 160,000 new homes on brownfield land
Mr Sunak unveiled £3bn for youngsters’ bootcamps and traineeships – plus extra £500m for adults to brush up on maths
Meanwhile, Brits going on ‘ultra long haul’ holidays will pay more for their flights from April 2023 due to a hike in Air Passenger Duty.
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