'Vital lifeline' paying for free school meals in Greater Manchester extended - but only until spring
manchestereveningnews.co.ukFree school meals look likely to remain available outside of term time in Greater Manchester after a ‘vital lifeline’ fund was extended.
The government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) was due to end on September 30, but it was announced on Monday (September 2) that it will stay in place for another six months.
The £421m kitty is given to councils who can use it to help residents in the cost-of-living crisis, with many choosing to spend their cash on giving free school meals to children during the holidays.
The extension means families struggling to make ends meet in Greater Manchester can expect their children to be fed in school during the autumn half term, Christmas, and spring half term holidays. READ MORE: Worker at nursery where tragic girl died in tears as she's jailed for abusing tots in her care “We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living,” said Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP in announcing the extension. “The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago – and this Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society.” The news comes as a relief for leaders in Greater Manchester.
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