Struggling North Yorkshire families may be eligible for food vouchers ahead of the summer holidays. North Yorkshire County Council has has received grant funding of more than £1.3million which it will allocate to schools and academies in early July. The 'Covid Local Support Grant' provides food voucher payments to parents and carers in receipt of free school meals, or other families impacted financially by the pandemic. And last week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced it would be extending the grant scheme to cover the summer break. The funding is primarily for children in receipt of free school meals, to ensure they continue to have access to food while schools are closed. Schools will have discretion to provide some vouchers to other families they have identified as being unable to cover the cost of essentials. The vouchers amount to £75 to cover the length of the summer holiday. Cllr Patrick Mulligan said:
“We know the voucher scheme has helped families in North Yorkshire to balance out their budgets throughout the pandemic and ease the pressure on families when they are faced with increased food costs when children are not in school. “We are very grateful to schools, nurseries and childminders for their continued help in distributing the vouchers to families in need of this support.”The Government scheme was first launched in time for the Christmas holidays to ease the pressure on families faced with increased food costs when children are not in school. A programme of healthy holiday activities will also be taking place in North Yorkshire over the summer break. Organisations offering sessions in everything from sports coaching, to creative and performing arts and cooking sessions have signed up to North Yorkshire’s FEAST holiday activities programme. North Yorkshire County Council has commissioned North Yorkshire Together, a partnership between Rural Arts, North Yorkshire Sport and North Yorkshire Youth to oversee the diverse programme. The holiday clubs will be available to all pupils in North Yorkshire, but will be free of charge to families eligible for free schools meals. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
Works to start on James Street in Harrogate
Harrogate Paralympic powerlifter to represent Team GB
Ripon classic car gathering to return this weekend
'A bad idea': Ripon council objects to lower speed limit on A61
Olympics to be screened at Victoria Shopping Centre
Harrogate cyclists set off on 600km fundraising trip to Paris
Harrogate care home shortlisted for national luxury care award
Amateur Harrogate football club helps men kick excess weight
Harrogate charity ball raises £14,000 to combat loneliness in older people
Harrogate's new MP speaks in Parliament for first time
New Harrogate outpost launched off coast of Africa
Maltkiln developer updates proposals for 4,000-home settlement
Harrogate bus firm awarded world's top quality and safety benchmarks
Knaresborough choir set to perform at prestigious London venues
Three teens arrested after violent incident in Bilton
Residents battle developer at 53-home Knox Lane inquiry
Popular village pub near Knaresborough is put up for auction
Alice in Wonderland trail launched in Ripon city centre
Ripon's Passport Scheme returns for the summer
Popular Harrogate venue to host family events throughout summer
