Thousands of Leicestershire children eligible for half-term meal vouchers

The vouchers will be available, through schools, from this week.

Thousands of Leicestershire families struggling financially will get help extra help to pay for food during October half-term. 

14,000 eligible children will receive school meal vouchers so their parents and carers can buy £15 worth of food for the break that starts on October 18.

Deborah Taylor, Deputy council leader and cabinet lead member for children and families councillor, said: "We know many people are struggling financially at the moment and are worried about how they will manage this winter on the back of a tough time following the coronavirus pandemic. It’s our number one priority to support as many families as we can, and this extra money from Government allows us to do just that.”

In total the Leicestershire October half-term school food voucher package will cost £240,000.

As well as the 14,000 mainstream school children who qualify, there will be support for eligible youngsters who are in early years education or have special educational needs. 

Leicestershire has received £3.6 million of Government cash from the Department of Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund, to help support those most in need with food, energy and water bills, as well as pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.