COUNCIL AGREES TO DISH OUT £10 MEAL VOUCHERS IN BID TO PREVENT CHILD HUNGER

                                                               

Cllr Jackson - keen to support struggling families

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has this morning confirmed that it will offer October half-term support to children who are entitled to free school meals.

The offer is of  a £10 contribution to food for each child entitled to free school meals.

The number of children set to benefit is put at at about 5,700.

Says NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson: “Over the weekend, I stated that we were exploring options on how we could support struggling families over the school break.

“I am now pleased to confirm that emergency funds will be made available and we will be offering families a one-off payment to ensure that no child in our area should go hungry this half term.

“We are now working up plans to ensure families can access this support as soon as possible, and will be publishing more details in the coming days."

He continues: “I should like to take this opportunity to thank those businesses and community groups that have come forward since the vote in Parliament last week to offer support for families in our area.

“These are unprecedented times, and so many families have been impacted by COVID-19.

“If you are struggling, I would urge people to get in touch with the Council to find out about the additional support available, including Council tax relief and £500 COVID-19 support payments.”

The payments are extra to other increases in national benefits for low income families.