The Department for Education has confirmed the abrupt termination of central government funding for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, a move that charities warn will plunge vulnerable families into deeper crisis.
Established as a lifeline during the pandemic, the HAF programme provided nutritious meals, enriching activities, and crucial childcare support to children from low-income households during school holidays. Its defunding effectively transfers the entire financial burden to already-stretched local authorities.
A Devastating Blow to Family Support Networks
This decision arrives amidst a severe cost-of-living crisis, leaving councils with an impossible choice: find the money from decimated budgets or cancel the support entirely. The programme was a cornerstone in the fight against ‘holiday hunger,’ where children from families eligible for free school meals often go without proper nutrition outside of term time.
Charities and advocacy groups have reacted with fury and dismay. The Independent Food Aid Network reported that many food banks are experiencing record demand, and the removal of this scheme will only intensify the pressure on emergency food provisions.
Local Councils Left Holding the Bill
With no new central funding allocated, local councils are now solely responsible for financing any holiday provision. Many have expressed grave concerns about their capacity to deliver these services without government backing, potentially creating a postcode lottery of support.
Areas with greater economic deprivation, where the need is most acute, are often the ones with the least financial resilience to make up the shortfall. This risks widening the gap in health and educational outcomes between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Government Defends the Decision
A government spokesperson stated that the HAF programme was always intended as a temporary measure, initially launched to support families through the extraordinary challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. They emphasised that the permanent extension of free school meals to more groups represents their ongoing commitment.
However, critics argue that this move overlooks the stark reality of holiday hunger and abandons a generation of children to the consequences of austerity and rising living costs.
