SALFORD COUNCIL STEPS UP TO ENSURE FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY MEALS SO THAT SALFORD CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY DON'T GO HUNGRY

Earlier in the week a majority of Conservative MP's voted to reject measures which would have seen help offered to struggling families over the school holiday period.

Salford has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country due to having suffered some of the harshest cuts in living memory and with the pandemic seemingly growing by the day, thousands of people across the city are waking to the prospects that they may be pushed closer to the poverty line.

It is a stark truth that families across Salford face a bleak future ahead and as usual those affected the most are those who can least afford it.

It is sad to say but thousands of children face losing what for them is the most important and sadly far too often, the only real meal they will get as family budgets are stretched and parents are faced with mounting bills and decreasing finances.

With that in mind, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett has announced that families in receipt of free school meals can claim them during the half-term holiday next week.

The quick decision was made following news that government has rejected Marcus Rashford's proposals to feed impoverished children over the holidays.

Salford City Council has committed to providing the generous holiday hunger package to families during half-term and also over Christmas.

Parents who claim free school meals should now take identification to their local gateway or hub and they will be given a free voucher. Residents can find the locations of gateways and Broughton Hub here https://www.salford.gov.uk/council-buildings-and-venues/gateway-centres/

Any parents with children in reception, year one or two and claiming benefits* - or in a non-mainstream school should also visit their nearest gateway or hub with identification to see if they are eligible to claim.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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"I, like many others across the country, was shocked to hear about the government's refusal to back Marcus Rashford's proposals - proposals which themselves were based on government's own commissioned policy recommendations.

"Salford City Council will not be letting children go hungry over half-term or the Christmas holidays. So today I am committing to find £10 a week for all children on free school meals in our city for that period. I’d also like to thank the organisations providing grab bag meals in the city too – it is really appreciated.

"When billions can be found for private sector contracts - often contracts which fail and have to be subsequently bailed out - it is remarkable how callous government can be when considering the plight of vulnerable British children.”

 

To help finance the campaign, the Spirit of Salford Network plans to launch a fundraiser to find resources from the community.

Spirit of Salford representative Councillor Sharmina August said:

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"To help the council, we have set a target of £20,000 to raise from the community towards this project.

"The council already has a programme in place to deal with holiday hunger in Summer, through Salford Assist. Our scheme over the last two years provided £5 a week for all schoolchildren on free school meals in summer - this time we're trying to double that.

"Just like we did at the start of this pandemic, the Spirit of Salford will bring our communities together to support one another and help through these hard times. This will be a very hard Christmas for thousands of families in Salford, and across the country. I know that we are ready to look out for each other, and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

"Keep an eye out for the fundraiser - we will be kickstarting the campaign soon!"

 

Cllr Paula Boshell, former Deputy Mayor and anti-poverty champion for the city has also made comment on the proposals. Cllr Boshell said:

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"Salford Assist has been providing holiday hunger support for several years now, a priority of the City Mayor since he was first elected in 2016.

"Making sure our city's children don't go hungry during the school holiday is our number one priority. The City Mayor has given us a clear steer to get in front of this problem and we'll be working flat out until the holidays to get it done."

 

*The full criteria is:

If your child is in reception, year 1 and/or year 2 and in receipt of free school meals, or attends a non-mainstream school,  to claim Health Holiday shopping vouchers you must be in receipt of the following benefits: Please tick the benefit that applies:

Income Support                                                                                                                                                                                             

Income based job seekers allowance                                                                   

Income related Employment and Support Allowance                                           

OR

Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and your annual income is £16,190 or less or;

Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit or;                                                                 

Universal Credit ( if you applied after 31 March 2018 your earnings from work must be less than £616.67 in the previous assessment period.