Parents urged to take up summer holiday support missed by millions of children
Up to 1.4 million children are missing out on free holiday activities and hot meals despite concerns about the rising cost of living, new research has revealed.
The government-backed Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program is designed to provide great support to parents over the summer holidays.
But according to Money Wellness’ findings, the program’s implementation rate is as low as nine percent in some regions, with the average being just over one-third (35 percent).
According to the research, this is accompanied by inadequate services from local councils; Nine out of ten councils (90%) impose a waiting list or cap on HAF programmes.
At least 17 councils set a ceiling on how many sessions each child could attend; In the summer months, this number averaged only around 16.
Guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) states that authorities should aim to provide four hours per day per eligible child, four days a week over the holidays (24 days). But he adds that he recognizes that this is not always practical or possible.
Adam Rolfe, head of policy and public relations at Money Wellness, said: “The families we work with were pushed to breaking point over the summer. No childcare, no school meals, bills still coming. HAF is exactly designed to help these families. The fact that so many of them never took part is not a quirk of data, it’s a failure of delivery.”
The DfE has been approached for comment.
Money Wellness has urged parents to make sure they get the benefits they are entitled to this summer.
Children from reception age to Year 11 who receive free school meals on benefits will automatically qualify, while those who do not may be optionally accepted by the council.
Parents are advised to book the program as early as possible, with clubs in suitable locations filling up within days of bookings opening and the majority of councils creating a waiting list from now on.
Other summer holiday support available
If the local HAF runs out of space, municipalities will refer parents to other available assistance. In most areas, there are additional holiday services outside the HAF program run by schools, churches or local charities.
There are also other government-supported schemes ongoing:
Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund, launched in April, was created by Labor to support low-income households with essential expenses. It replaces both the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.
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Households can apply for both ‘crisis payment’ and ‘housing payment’ through the program. First, it often takes the form of cash payments to prevent people from falling into financial crisis, regardless of whether they have requested benefits.
The housing allowance is specifically intended to help with housing costs in the short term and is limited to only those receiving certain benefits.
food coupons
Many local authorities have begun to phase out the use of food vouchers, but some still continue to provide food vouchers. This is because the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the household support fund, which allowed authorities to finance their own supplies.
You can find more information by consulting your local municipality. For example, Sutton Council continued its food voucher scheme for a further four weeks this year, including the first two of the summer holidays.
Free bus ride for children in August
From 1-31 August, children aged 5-15 will be given free bus travel in England. This will reduce travel prices during the summer holidays, as child fares are generally between £1 and £2.
‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme
During the holiday, families will be able to access cheaper prices, cinema tickets and meals on days out, thanks to the temporary VAT discount applied to family activities.
While the cut reduces the standard 20 percent rate to 5 percent, businesses are expected to pass on the savings by lowering prices.
Valid for a range of participating family-targeted products and activities.
