Concerns Over Ending School Holiday Food Vouchers
A head teacher has expressed significant concern regarding the decision to discontinue school holiday food vouchers for families with low incomes in Somerset.
Families in Somerset with children eligible for free school meals will no longer receive automatic supermarket vouchers during school holidays. Instead, Somerset Council plans to introduce a new crisis fund, part of which will be allocated to preventative measures. The council, which spent £2.1 million on the voucher scheme last year, has designated approximately £1 million annually for emergency support, including food assistance.
Matt Vella, head teacher of St Michael's Academy in Yeovil, stated that he believes this change
"would hit the most vulnerable pupils the hardest".
Details on the number of families to be supported under the new scheme or the specific types of assistance to be provided have not yet been announced.
As of January 2025, 15,285 children in Somerset were eligible for free school meals, accounting for 21.2% of all pupils in the region.
Vella described his school as serving
"one of the most deprived catchments in Somerset,"where nearly 40% of pupils qualify for free school meals, and families currently rely on voucher support.
He emphasized that the holiday vouchers ensured families had
"consistent access to nutritious meals"outside of term time.
"I think it'll have a significant impact on the most vulnerable pupils because many are already facing challenges of rising costs, potentially, you know, employment issues and financial hardship, so it's going to hit those that need it the most the hardest,"he added.
However, Councillor Heather Shearer, lead member for children, assured that the new fund, which will be implemented in time for the Easter holidays, will continue to support families in need.
"We know our families very well, we know who they are. We will do everything in our power to support them in any way they need.
"This gives us different ways to support them in different ways - not just a voucher,"she said.
Funding Changes and Council Plans
The vouchers were funded by the council through the household support fund (HSF), provided by the government from October 2021 until March 2026.
The HSF is being replaced by a crisis and resilience fund, which will be paid by the government to local councils over the next three years.
Somerset Council has been allocated £21 million over this period, compared to the council's most recent annual HSF funding of £6.7 million for 2025/26.
The council's Liberal Democrat executive committee voted to prioritize the new crisis and resilience fund largely on preventative work, setting aside £1 million annually for emergency support, including food assistance.
Government Perspective
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson commented on the £1 billion Crisis and Resilience fund, stating it will serve as a
"genuine safety net helping to prevent families from falling into crises."
They added,
"Local authorities will design their schemes with the needs of their area in mind, and this can include using the fund for free school meals during school holidays if they feel that is where support is needed."
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