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Original poster

Free School Meals - summer holidays reduction

66 replies

BooseysMom · 12/07/2022 12:37

We have received a FSM voucher for £30 to cover the whole school holidays. What has happened to it being £15 per week?!

OP posts:
SilverDragonfly1 · 12/07/2022 18:13

From a brief read around, it seems as though councils are now able to decide what level of support they give rather than being told.

MrsIronfoundersson · 12/07/2022 18:22

Our council is doing £60.

ThatsRoughBuddy · 12/07/2022 18:22

I didn’t even realise the payments would be happening again this summer so was very surprised to get just over £200 from our council. It’s been a small weight off my shoulders. I’m sorry that your council hasn’t been as much help.

solarbirdscalm · 12/07/2022 20:24

Is your council offering the summer holiday childcare as well? In our area they are offering free childcare with a hot meal so I imagine they are offering less in vouchers.

Original poster
BooseysMom · 12/07/2022 20:47

Is your council offering the summer holiday childcare as well? In our area they are offering free childcare with a hot meal so I imagine they are offering less in vouchers.

Not as far as I know. It's bad the fact the payment has halved and there's nothing else offered.

OP posts:
Snozzlemaid · 12/07/2022 20:49

I've seen this going around.
Maybe of some help to families

Free School Meals - summer holidays reduction
Original poster
BooseysMom · 17/07/2022 13:38

@Snozzlemaid.. that's helpful. Thanks x

OP posts:
Whoareyoumyfriend · 17/07/2022 13:40

Locally to me, the council are offering holiday camp places to children in receipt of fsm. A meal is included with this

Sirzy · 17/07/2022 13:40

I got £90 voucher last week from our council.

i thought all areas had to offer the HAF provision for activities including food for families who are entitled to fsm?

BiscoffSundae · 17/07/2022 13:47

Better than nothing, our council hasn’t given anything

Sadless · 19/07/2022 19:32

I received a £90 voucher this morning for one child haven't heard anything from the other school. I didn't know they was still doing them now. I am in Lancashire.

Sal

Elevenerifebruv · 19/07/2022 20:05

It's a post code lottery unfortunately. We get the full £15 per week (£90 per child) and the full HAF offer in my local area but it's not like that across the board by any means.

LadyCatStark · 19/07/2022 20:11

Why are some people getting free money AND free HAF while others are struggling to pay for holiday activities so that they can work AND struggling to pay for food for their children 🤷‍♀️. Somethings not right here…

ThePumpkinPatch · 19/07/2022 20:12

We haven't got anything!

LilacPoppy · 19/07/2022 20:13

£135 per child per summer locally plus the HAF.

ThePumpkinPatch · 19/07/2022 20:14

Anyone else in North Yorkshire? Did you receive anything?

MissMaple82 · 19/07/2022 20:26

LadyCatStark · 19/07/2022 20:11

Why are some people getting free money AND free HAF while others are struggling to pay for holiday activities so that they can work AND struggling to pay for food for their children 🤷‍♀️. Somethings not right here…

I agree with this... I am currently panicking as I can't afford the upfront holiday club childcare fees so I can go out to work next week. And when i say i can't afford it i mean I literally do not have the funds to pay it, its either pay rent or pay childcare.. what am I to do!? I have asked UC on my journal but had no response as usual.

WeAreBob · 19/07/2022 20:32

I volunteer in a food bank and people have been saying that our council gave £25 per child for the first 2 weeks, £25 per child for the second 2 weeks and then £46 per child for the remainder.
People got the first payment on the friday the schools broke up, the next payment 2 weeks later and the final payment will be on Friday this week.

WeAreBob · 19/07/2022 20:34

FSM kids were also offered spaces one of the schools being opened as a "hub" but only from 10am till 2pm on weekdays so not actually a full day of childcare.

Sirzy · 19/07/2022 20:43

LadyCatStark · 19/07/2022 20:11

Why are some people getting free money AND free HAF while others are struggling to pay for holiday activities so that they can work AND struggling to pay for food for their children 🤷‍♀️. Somethings not right here…

Sadly it’s down to how the local authority decide to allocate their funds.

the HAF program here seems decent but wouldn’t cover any meaningful holiday childcare

LadyCatStark · 19/07/2022 22:28

@Sirzy a full time worker even on minimum wage would earn more than the cut off for free school meals so it’s not really about child care, it’s about giving experiences to children who may not otherwise get them. I get that, I really do but why double up on support for some people while leaving the people that keep the county going floundering?

WeAreBob · 19/07/2022 23:00

LadyCatStark · 19/07/2022 22:28

@Sirzy a full time worker even on minimum wage would earn more than the cut off for free school meals so it’s not really about child care, it’s about giving experiences to children who may not otherwise get them. I get that, I really do but why double up on support for some people while leaving the people that keep the county going floundering?

I think you mean, "why leave people struggling?"
Rather than, "why do they get it when we don't and we're the ones working to pay for the slackers."

I cant imagine a decent person would begrudge kids on free school meals being given a place at summer school.

Your issue shouldn't be that they get it. Your issue should be the lack of support for the other people also struggling.

ThePumpkinPatch · 20/07/2022 05:31

I'm so angry with North Yorkshire County Council. Not a penny in vouchers or school uniform help. Yet parents in Cornwall are getting £180!

LadyCatStark · 20/07/2022 10:58

WeAreBob · 19/07/2022 23:00

I think you mean, "why leave people struggling?"
Rather than, "why do they get it when we don't and we're the ones working to pay for the slackers."

I cant imagine a decent person would begrudge kids on free school meals being given a place at summer school.

Your issue shouldn't be that they get it. Your issue should be the lack of support for the other people also struggling.

Show quote history

But if they weren’t doubling up on some people, they’d have more money to help others too. DH and I have already cut down to one meal and a bowl of cereal a day to make sure DS can eat, what do we cut next?? We don’t need child care as DS is a teenager but he’s in for a very boring summer as we can’t afford to do anything.

WeAreBob · 20/07/2022 11:47

LadyCatStark · 20/07/2022 10:58

But if they weren’t doubling up on some people, they’d have more money to help others too. DH and I have already cut down to one meal and a bowl of cereal a day to make sure DS can eat, what do we cut next?? We don’t need child care as DS is a teenager but he’s in for a very boring summer as we can’t afford to do anything.

Show quote history

So you want money got activities for your kid? And feel that that should come out of funds aimed at children who ar