School holiday meals for more children

The government has announced extra funding to provide school holiday meals for more children.

The support will be delivered under a new £1 billion package, to reform crisis support, including the launch of a new Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The multi-year deal aims to give councils much needed certainty to protect households from falling into crisis and to provide vital support to those who need it most.

Local authorities will be empowered to best target support in their areas.

The new Crisis and Resilience Fund will replace the Household Support Fund and launch from April 2026.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: "No child should be left to go hungry and we are determined to do whatever it takes to tackle this issue. 

"Our commitment to feeding children most in need builds on measures like our expansion of free school meals – and we will be going further in our Child Poverty Strategy.

"The funding we have secured is a major part of our Plan for Change and will help ensure left behind families across the country can look forward to a brighter future."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "This government is committed to delivering excellence for every child. 

"That is why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are rolling out free breakfast clubs and extending free school meals to deliver better life chances for all of our children. 

"The only hunger a child should have is a hunger to learn – we will make sure children’s backgrounds should not determine where they end up."