Council to offer support for children during the October half term

North East Lincolnshire Council has confirmed that it will offer support to children who are entitled to free school meals, during the October half term.

Today, the Council Leader revealed plans to offer a £10 contribution to food for each child entitled to free school meals, some 5,700 local children in our area.

Councillor Philip Jackson said: “Over the weekend I said that we were exploring options on how we could support struggling families over the school break.

“I am now pleased to confirm that emergency funds will be made available and we will be offering families a one-off payment to ensure that no child in our area goes hungry this half term.

“We are now working up plans to ensure families can access this support as soon as possible and will be publishing more details in the coming days

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those businesses and community groups that have come forward since the vote in Parliament last week to offer support for families in our area.

“These are unprecedented times and so many families have been impacted by COVID-19.

“If you are struggling, I would urge people to get in touch with the Council to find out about the additional support available, including Council tax relief and £500 COVID-19 support payments.”

These payments are from additional funds directly from the Council, and are extra to other increases in national benefits for low income families.

All children in North East Lincolnshire schools currently receiving free school meals will be given a £10 voucher when they return after the half term break, to assist in reimbursing costs of food over the half term week.

Councillor Jackson, added: “Whilst we would have liked to have arranged this ahead of half-term, the Council has had to very quickly assess how best to help struggling families at this time.

“We feel that this is the most effective way of ensuring that all children who need it get the necessary support. We are currently consulting with our schools about distribution and will let people know in due course.”

To find out more about support available to those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus or call 01472 313131.