Boost to free school meal vouchers this half-term

Published: Friday 21 October 2022

Over 4,500 children on free school meals in Kensington and Chelsea will receive an increased voucher allowance over the October half term to help families afford food.

Each child will receive a £20 voucher for the half-term week (£4 per day) to spend in local supermarkets. This is an increase of £5 per child per week compared to previous years, as the Council looks to help families with the rising cost of food. Councillors committed to providing this higher amount up to and including the Easter holidays in 2023. 

The vouchers are funded by the Council’s Household Support Fund, which also contributes to the cost of social care and funds emergency support to families in need. Additionally, a cost of living support hub has been set up by the Council to make families in Kensington and Chelsea aware of the support available to them. 

Cllr Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services, said: “By upping our half-term voucher offer by £5 per child, families will feel less of a pinch at the tills. We know the cost of living and the rising cost of food is a real concern for many of our residents. I hope this increased voucher offer, and the support in our cost of living support hub, provides useful guidance and help.” 

You can find out more about the Household Support Fund in papers from the Leadership Team Meeting (19/10).

To find out more about additional support provided by the Council, visit the cost of living support hub.