Consumer experts at MoneySavingExpert.com, founded by Martin Lewis, are urging parents whose children receive free school meals to check if they qualify for extra support during the summer holidays. Families may be entitled to free activities, meals, or even cash to help with childcare costs.
HAF programme offers free meals and activities
In England and Scotland, eligibility for free school meals during term time also qualifies children for free extra help during school holidays. This includes the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), which runs over summer, Easter, and Christmas breaks. According to MoneySavingExpert, the programme provides children aged four and above with access to activities and at least one free meal per day.
The exact offerings vary by local authority, but each council must provide the equivalent of six weeks of support per year to eligible children, though many offer more. Parents must apply for HAF; it is not automatic. Application methods vary, with some councils issuing codes for booking activities, while others use walk-in sessions, online portals, or small grants.
Vouchers and postcode lottery
Some councils also provide food vouchers. MoneySavingExpert notes: "Depending on where you live, you may also be able to get £15 a week in food vouchers over the school holidays if your child is eligible for free school meals." This support comes from the Household Support Fund, meaning it is a postcode lottery. Parents are advised to check with their local council to see if vouchers are automatic or require an application. MSE warns: "so DON'T risk not checking."
Disabled children missing out
Last week, a report by the Children’s Commissioner revealed that tens of thousands of disabled children from low-income families could be missing out on free holiday activities and meals. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) who qualify for free school meals are about a third less likely to access the HAF programme compared with disadvantaged children without Send. The report, which examined unpublished Department for Education figures, estimates that 56,500 children with Send are missing out. Only 14% of eligible children with Send attended a HAF club last summer, versus 22% of their peers without Send.
The number of children with Send who accessed HAF last summer rose to 100,000, up from 77,000 in summer 2023. The report cited a lack of accessible and affordable activities, inaccessible or expensive transport, and parks and playgrounds not being accessible to disabled children as reasons for the disparity.
