Hampshire County Council providing food vouchers over Christmas break

Children in Hampshire who are eligible for free school meals will be receiving food vouchers over Christmas break.

This comes after the government decided to provide additional funding for county councils to support vulnerable families through the Winter Grant Scheme.

Each household will receive a £15 voucher per child per week, which will be distributed by nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, schools and colleges.

The vouchers will also be available to some children who are not currently eligible for free school meals.

Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People, Councillor Patricia Stallard said: “By introducing a food voucher scheme, we aim to ensure that no Hampshire child goes hungry over the Christmas and New Years holidays.

“I am also pleased that we have sufficient funding to provide vouchers to our care leavers and young carers.”

According to Hampshire County Council the voucher scheme will help feed over 34,000 children in Hampshire.

The council is also providing schools and colleges with a discretionary grant fund to help families who are struggling financially but may not be immediately eligible for the voucher scheme.

Schools can use the grants to help families with essentials such as food and heating.

Cllr Stallard said: “I would like to thank all our education providers for helping us to reach those in need of this support.

“They know their children, young people and families best so are far better placed to distribute the vouchers.

“With their assistance, we can help ensure that vulnerable children don’t go without necessities like food and heating over the winter.”