Central Bedfordshire Council has been allocated almost £1.5m in Government funding to support families in the area. The funding is from the Government's Household Support Fund, which has been extended for a further six months after originally being due to end in March 2024. The funding received by the Council, of £1,483,073.82, will help support families until the end of September 2024.
Over the Easter holidays, the Council will be distributing supermarket vouchers to every child eligible for free school meals in Central Bedfordshire to help with food costs. Anyone who is eligible for support will be contacted directly by the Council, and more information about other groups eligible for support will be made available on the Council’s website in due course.
Commenting, Andrew Selous MP said:
"I am delighted that this additional funding is coming to Central Bedfordshire to help those who need it."
For more information about the Household Support Fund, visit the Council’s website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/hsg
This Easter, the Council will further support families with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free, fun activities for children who receive benefits based free school meals and are in Reception through to year 11 at school – a requirement of the Department for Education who fund the programme.
All children who attend face-to-face activities will be provided with healthy snacks and lunch. Sessions are inclusive so are suitable for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). More information is available at: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/holiday-activities