Families in Bath and North East Somerset who currently receive free school meal holiday vouchers will continue to receive support over the summer holidays before a new targeted system is introduced later this year.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says the change is designed to ensure help is focused on families facing genuine financial hardship, while also supporting longer-term financial resilience.
The council stressed that support is not being withdrawn completely, but delivered in a different way following changes linked to the UK Government-supported Crisis & Resilience Fund.
The vouchers are funded through the Crisis & Resilience Fund, which was created as a short-term response to financial hardship rather than a permanent universal scheme. The council said Government rules attached to the funding do not allow ongoing blanket voucher programmes.
Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, said, “Families should be reassured this is about making sure help is targeted, fair and sustainable within the Government’s rules of the funding we receive. The Crisis & Resilience Fund was never intended to provide universal vouchers indefinitely, but it remains there to support people when they face genuine financial crisis.
“Alongside this, our new practical support will help households build greater financial stability for the future to prevent the need for crisis payments.”
Families experiencing financial difficulties will still be able to apply for support through the Crisis & Resilience Fund, with payments made as cash where possible to provide greater flexibility.
The council’s Welfare Support team will also continue helping residents with essential costs, including food support through the existing Local Welfare Provision scheme. Alongside financial support, the council says it will work with partner organisations to offer practical budgeting advice, debt support and guidance to help families maximise household income.
For more information go to https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/
