The Government has announced a £600 million extension of the Holiday Activities and Food programme in England for another three years.
The programme supports children from lower-income families by providing free meals and activities during the school holidays. The LGA has previously called for it to be continued.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: “The programme has proven highly effective by encouraging children to engage in higher levels of physical activity, improving their diets, and increasing their confidence, wellbeing and feeling of social connection – in particular, reaching pupils who are persistent school absentees or at risk of absence.
“Councils would not have been able to replace this funding if it was discontinued, which would have impacted on the most vulnerable children in their communities, and risked losing experienced staff without adequate time to plan for future provision.
“Extending the funding provides much-needed certainty and safeguards valuable support and expertise.”