Thousands of Leicestershire families struggling with the surging cost of living will get help to feed their children over the summer holiday.

Leicestershire County Council is again running a school meal voucher scheme for some 14,000 eligible county children so their parents and carers can buy £15 worth of food per week for the six week-long summer holiday which starts next week.

The scheme is being funded with through the council's Household Support Fund (HSF) from £3.6 million of Department of Work and Pension money.

Schools and early years settings have already started issuing vouchers to eligible families ahead of the end of term on Friday (8).

County council lead member for resources councillor Lee Breckon said: "Everywhere you look it is obvious that vulnerable people in Leicestershire are feeling the bite of the cost-of-living crisis.

"We, as a council, cannot control some of the major economic factors pushing up costs but we are in a position to help families who may be finding things harder than others.

"We're continuing with our long-standing free school meal vouchers which we know make a huge difference to families who struggle to put food on the table during the holidays and we recognise six weeks is a long time to be without the support they rely on in term time – so we're stepping in with the £15-a-week offer again."

Further support for families is also available this summer through the county council.

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County council deputy leader and cabinet member for children and families Councillor Deborah Taylor said: "We're also working with our partners Active Together to deliver our Summer 2022 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, Leicestershire Holidays Together, which will provide free holiday clubs for children living in Leicestershire who are eligible for free school meals."

The sessions will take place at venues across the county, run by schools, voluntary and community organisations, childcare providers and sports clubs. 

Children and young people can access up to 16 holiday club sessions over the summer – totally free of charge.

The sessions will offer a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop new skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.

This can come in the form of food and fuel vouchers issued to eligible people who have been referred by a professional support worker or agency.

Over 12 months £7.2 million of support has been available to Leicestershire residents through the Household Support fund.

These can include charities, schools, food banks, council housing officials or care teams and GPs or other NHS staff.

More information on accessing HSF support is available on the council's webpage.

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