Labour has discontinued a school holiday meal voucher scheme, a program it previously advocated for, leaving councils to end the support for families in need. This comes six years after the party, then in opposition, pushed the Conservative government to retain the initiative.
Councils nationwide have ceased their supermarket voucher programs that provided essential aid to families during summer breaks. Some local authorities had not announced alternative support even after the school holidays began, and a few parents received notification of the changes in the final days of the school term.
The shift in policy follows Labour's revision of funding rules for local authorities. By replacing the Conservatives' Household Support Fund (HSF) with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) in April, some councils are facing reduced budgets, forcing them to cut voucher schemes to conserve funds. The CRF is intended to provide £1 billion annually, with guidance suggesting councils should "prioritise funding efficiently" and noting that "some free school meal eligible families may not routinely need crisis support during every school holiday."
This new funding structure has led to at least 15 councils discontinuing their school voucher programs. A survey by the Local Government Association indicated that only two percent of councils believed the CRF's annual funding would be sufficient to address local welfare needs.
The holiday voucher scheme was initially introduced by the Conservative government in 2020 to assist families struggling with food costs during school closures. It gained prominence following a national campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford, which prompted then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reverse a decision to cut the program. At the time, Bridget Phillipson, now the Education Secretary, criticized the government for delays in providing support.
Conservative education spokesman Laura Trott accused Labour of misrepresentation, stating that the government's funding changes are forcing councils to end the holiday meal voucher schemes. She commented that the reality of Labour's policy does not match its rhetoric, particularly concerning families who previously relied on this support.
A government spokesperson asserted that the £1 billion CRF serves as a safety net against crises and that local authorities have the flexibility to design support tailored to their communities, including assistance for families eligible for free school meals during the summer. The spokesperson also cited survey data indicating that over 90 percent of parents and carers found the previous program helpful in reducing financial worries and facilitating work during holidays.