More support provided for families during half term

Building on the support offered to families through Free School Meals vouchers offered over Christmas, Westminster City Council will support free school meals during the February half term, utilising funding from the government’s Winter Covid Grant Scheme.

The current national lockdown restrictions have placed further pressure on families with schools closed to many children and the in-person youth activities no longer able to go ahead.

Last year, the council announced a comprehensive £750,000 package to support families and vulnerable people who are in need. This support extends until March, including the coming half-term, as well as grants to low-income families and vulnerable people.

Free school meal vouchers will be distributed via schools to the families of more than 6,500 eligible children in Westminster schools. This will ensure thousands of families will get an extra £15 per child to reduce food poverty and support low-income households. 

In December, the council funded free school meal vouchers for 6,706 children and young people who were eligible. Staff also identified and wrote to more than 1,600 additional families who were in financial hardship to provide them with food vouchers.

Cllr Timothy Barnes, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Learning, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be an extremely challenging time. In Westminster, we are committed to ensuring our most vulnerable families are supported. Food vouchers during February half term will be a welcome relief to thousands of parents and carers and extra support will be available for those in need.”

To find out more, visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-residents#winter-support