Holiday Food Costs Strain Family Budgets
For many families, the summer holidays represent more than just a break from school; they also bring a significant increase in food expenses.
Susan Lilley, a single mother of two currently training to become a classroom assistant, described how the weekly grocery shopping has become one of her primary financial concerns.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, families of 90,000 children eligible for free school meals received £27 per child every two weeks during school holidays. However, the Department of Education (DE) discontinued this support in March 2023 due to budget constraints. A new bill introduced at Stormont aims to reinstate these holiday payments.
Dr Mark Browne, the then Permanent Secretary, stated that ending the scheme was the most difficult decision he had to make.
Lilley, who benefited from the grant during the pandemic, emphasized the positive impact of the support. Without it, she sometimes has to opt for less nutritious, processed foods for her children because they are often more affordable than fresh produce.
"You want to have everything they need, everything that's nutritious for them, but it's impossible trying to get the quality of food, especially food and veg and protein, with the prices.
"My little girl would like strawberries and blackberries, but it's a fortune, I was in this morning and I had to ask her to pick something else," she continued.
"I can go and buy a 35p donut versus a £4.50 box of strawberries, but it won't fill her the same, won't give her the brain power for school. It will actually damage her more."
She expressed concern that politicians assume people "will just manage," but in reality, "people aren't managing."
"Put your money where your mouth is. Children are our future. If they are being limited now how are they going to be the best they can be, to be productive and grow in to full, whole human beings and adults."
"Nutrition affects them growing up, it can be a barrier to education.
"It's important that everyone has access to healthy food, especially children."
Proposed Bill to Reinstate Holiday Food Payments
The new bill, introduced in the assembly by Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker, proposes the return of holiday food payments at an estimated annual cost of approximately £20 million.
Children qualify for free school meals if their household income is below £15,390 per year.
Although UK food inflation has decelerated, prices continue to rise, albeit at a slower pace.
Support from Women's Centres Amid Financial Struggles
Lauren Entwhistle, a mother of two, has personally experienced financial pressures. After facing postnatal depression and financial difficulties, she sought assistance from the Atlas Women's Centre in Lisburn.
Part of a network of women's centres across Northern Ireland, the Atlas Women's Centre helped her regain stability. She now works there to support other women.
Entwhistle noted that most women who seek help at the centre face financial challenges.
"I've been through it myself," she said. "Worrying about that every day affects your mental health.
"It's the hub of everything, that's why there is a big issue with mental health in this country. There aren't enough resources to help everyone.
"A lot of the mums here would tell you even if they were getting an extra fiver a week, they would be grateful for anything."
She described how many women meticulously budget when shopping.
"It would be nice if politicians came and spoke to women, and realised how hard they have it.
"Every time these women go to the shop they have to think, about their budget, they are counting pennies.
"I know myself, there is a constant feeling of guilt, like we're not doing enough."
Entwhistle encouraged women experiencing difficulties to seek support from local women's centres, which can connect them with additional services.
"All you need to do is come through the door.
"Some people might not like the thought of going to the food bank, unfortunately there is a bit of shame around it."
Research Highlights Women's Role in Managing Household Poverty
Siobhan Harding, from the Women's Support Network, has conducted research through women's centres across Northern Ireland. Her findings indicate that women often bear the primary responsibility for managing household finances.
"Women act as the shock absorbers of poverty in the home.
"They will go without the food, heat and clothes to make sure children and family members have what they need."
Harding noted that summer brings additional pressures.
"Kids are home more, constantly at the fridge door. Mum's are under pressure to find activities, clubs and summer schemes.
"Then you have uniforms to buy. There are so many additional costs.
"There is very limited help available for people. There's a strong body of evidence to say that there is a need for this new holiday hunger bill."
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