Struggling families to get food vouchers worth £45 over Easter

Struggling families in Herefordshire are to get food vouchers worth £45 per child over the Easter school holidays.

More than 4,500 primary and secondary-aged children in the county who are entitled to free school meals are expected to benefit from the support, according to Herefordshire Council.

“This will have a positive impact on low-income families and child poverty by minimising the debt burden on those that struggle to pay essential bills,” it said.

The vouchers will once again be delivered through schools, which get a 3 per cent handling fee.

The expected total sum of £209,000 comes from a £1.33 million grant to the council from the Government ‘s Household Support Fund for the current financial year, which ends next month.

Councils are given some discretion as to how, and to whom, the funds are distributed.

The Government has confirmed the scheme will continue to distribute funds via local authorities for another year.