Holiday hunger bill to face final Stormont hurdle
Summary
Northern Ireland’s Assembly is due to vote on the Holiday Meal Payments Bill, which would provide holiday food payments to families whose children receive free school meals. Supporters say it would help families facing food costs, while Education Minister Paul Givan warns it would cost his department about £20 million a year.Key Facts
- Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker introduced the bill in March.
- The bill would create payments for eligible families outside school term time.
- Children qualify for free school meals if their household income is below £15,390 a year.
- Northern Ireland is the only UK region without government-funded holiday food support, after a £27-per-fortnight grant ended in 2023.
- Community and voluntary groups held a demonstration at Stormont on Monday to urge MLAs to pass the bill.
- DUP Education Minister Paul Givan has criticized the bill and said his department does not have funding for the scheme.
- Givan has warned the scheme would cost his department £20 million a year.
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