Labour-led Stockport Council provides free school meals for half term

• Labour administration pledged to tackle holiday hunger over all school holidays – starting with first steps being taken from October half term.

• Stockport Council to provide £15 vouchers for all children entitled to free school meals over the October half term

Stockport Council has a taken another step in tackling holiday hunger by providing £15 vouchers for all children who are entitled to free school meals for the October half term.

These measures are part of a wider pledge to provide free school meals over every school holiday for those who are eligible for free school meals.

There are nearly 6800 children and young people who will receive these vouchers over the next few days as well as the additional a range of activities planned over the holiday period.

Cllr Colin Foster, Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education, said;

“Holiday hunger is a problem throughout the year and as a major step the Council is providing vouchers for this half term. Nearly one in seven children will receive the voucher. We firmly believe that no child in Stockport should go hungry.

“We support the campaign to make this a national entitlement and were disappointed by the government rejection of this request on Wednesday.”

Cllr Tom McGee, Deputy Leader of the Councill, said;

“Stockport Labour have been committed to tackling Holiday Hunger for some time and on Thursday 22^nd October I made reference at the Stockport Councill meeting that we were looking to find further funding to help families,”

ENDS.