The Government has today (16 June 2020) announced it will extend the provision of free school meals for children from low-income families throughout the summer holidays.
Reacting to the announcement, Peter Tutton, Head of Policy here at StepChange, said:
“The Government’s extension of free school meals vouchers over the summer holidays is a hugely positive step towards helping some of the most financially vulnerable families in the country.
"Our research shows the pandemic is already disproportionately affecting families - adults with dependent children are 1.5 times more likely than those without dependent children to have been financially affected by Covid-19, while 17% of adults with dependent children have fallen behind on bills or have borrowed to make ends meet.
“These vouchers will help to put vital extra pounds in the pockets of many low-income families, but the challenge of helping financially vulnerable households through the crisis far from over.”