A legislative effort is underway to reinstate holiday food payments for children who qualify for free school meals, a program that was discontinued in March 2023. Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker has introduced a bill in the assembly that, if passed, could see these payments resumed, with an estimated annual cost of £20 million.
The financial support, previously provided during Covid-19 lockdowns, offered £27 per child every two weeks to families of children eligible for free school meals. The Department of Education (DE) cited a lack of funds for discontinuing the scheme, a decision the then Permanent Secretary Dr. Mark Browne described as difficult.
For families like that of Susan Lilley, a single mother of two, the absence of this support has exacerbated financial pressures, particularly during school holidays when children are home for longer periods. Lilley, who is training to become a classroom assistant, stated that her weekly grocery bill has become a significant concern.
She explained that the rising cost of food, especially fresh produce, forces difficult choices. "You want to have everything they need, everything that's nutritious for them, but it's impossible trying to get the quality of food, especially food and veg and protein, with the prices," Lilley said. She noted that opting for less healthy, processed foods is often a more economical choice, though less beneficial for her children's well-being and educational focus.
"I can go and buy a 35p donut versus a £4.50 box of strawberries, but it won't fill her the same, won't give her the brain power for school. It will actually damage her more," she added, illustrating the dilemma faced by many parents.
Children are eligible for free school meals if their family's annual household income is below £15,390. While UK food inflation has decreased, prices continue to climb, albeit at a slower rate. Lilley expressed concern that politicians may underestimate the financial struggles of families, believing they can