Summary
Cambridgeshire County Council has decided to extend a scheme that provides supermarket vouchers to families receiving free school meals during holidays until September. The decision comes after the end of the government's Household Support Fund, with the council allocating £2.7 million to fund these vouchers. The vouchers, now worth £10 per child per week, have been reduced from the previous value of £15.
Key Facts
- Cambridgeshire County Council will provide supermarket vouchers to families receiving free school meals during school holidays until September.
- The council allocated £2.7 million for this program.
- Each voucher is now worth £10 per child per week, down from £15.
- The extension follows the end of the government's Household Support Fund.
- £350,000 in additional funding is available for Easter holiday vouchers.
- An extra £1 million is set aside in the council's 2026-27 budget for similar initiatives.
- Another £1.3 million has been identified from the council's anti-poverty reserve.
- Local leaders expressed concerns about the impact of the reduced voucher amount on struggling families.
