East Sussex Ends Automatic Holiday Food Vouchers for Families

Voucher scheme withdrawn after funding change

Families in East Sussex will no longer receive automatic food vouchers during the October half term following a decision by the Reform-led county council. The vouchers, which supported households receiving benefits-related free school meals, were stopped after the May half term due to changes in government funding.

East Sussex County Council says support remains available through alternative means. A council spokesman stated: "Support is available for any family in East Sussex that needs it. The way in which that support is delivered has changed in line with government changes in funding."

The council will spend £7.3 million over the next year through its Crisis and Resilience Fund, which has replaced the government's previous Household Support Fund. This money will be used for debt advice, community food schemes, holiday clubs with meals and help with household essentials. Council-funded holiday clubs offering meals and activities are available during October half term for eligible children.

Community concerns raised

Barry Ashley, who runs The Grumpy Cook café in Hastings, has expressed concern about families not reached by support schemes. He said: "We now know Citizens Advice 1066 are managing the Crisis and Resilience Fund but we understand the scheme is for sudden financial shocks, and school holidays don't fall into that category. But what about the thousands of children who won't be attending them? Who is making sure those children have enough to eat?"

His café will offer free meals to children during the October half term with no adult purchase required. The café also provided free meals during the summer after vouchers ended.

Penny Downes of Rye Foodbank previously warned of the impact. In July she said: "We are very concerned about the end of the funded school holiday food voucher scheme in East Sussex as it will leave many of the most vulnerable local families facing a more difficult summer. The Food Foundation's latest figures show 39.2 per cent of children in the Hastings and Rye constituency are living in poverty."

Liberal Democrat council leader Councillor Kathryn Field said: "We are concerned that the most isolated and vulnerable families and children may not access this support meaning that there is a risk that children will go hungry over the holiday period. It is a matter of concern that this early decision by the Reform cabinet is one that is detrimental to the health and well-being of some of our most vulnerable residents."

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