Summary
School holiday supermarket vouchers for families getting free school meals will no longer be automatically given out due to changes in government funding. The British government replaced the Household Support Fund with a new Crisis Resilience Fund, which offers similar overall funding but differently distributed. Bracknell Forest Council and other local councils are adjusting to the funding change by offering different support, like low-cost activities, though some councils are still deciding on future steps.
Key Facts
- The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been replaced by the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF).
- Bracknell Forest Council's funding decreased slightly from £979,000 to just under £907,000.
- CRF funding is used for emergencies like sudden expenses or income drops.
- The new distribution method means some councils get less funding.
- School holiday supermarket vouchers will not be automatically provided anymore for eligible families.
- Some councils will offer low-cost activities through the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
- Decisions on voucher schemes are pending for some councils like Reading, Slough, and Wokingham.
- A government spokesperson said the CRF aims to prevent families from falling into long-term financial troubles.
