£600m to extend holiday activities programme

The government has confirmed £600 million to extend the Holiday Activities and Food programme for another three years. 

The programme supports children from lower-income families by providing free meals and enriching activities during school holidays.  

School-aged children from reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals are eligible.  

Andrew Forsey OBE, National Director of Feeding Britain said: "Today’s news will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of parents across England.  

"The support provided to children from lower incomes through the Holiday Activities Fund HAF eases the pressure on family budgets during the school holidays, enhances their access to enriching and physical activities, and gives them a healthy meal each day during the school holidays.  

"This delivers a raft of benefits for children and their families, so it is excellent news that the government is extending this provision for a further three years.  

"Knowing that this support will continue to be available, for the next few years, will lift a weight off their shoulders."

Since 2022, the programme has provided 10.7 million activity days to children and young people.