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

• Council to write to Government demanding Holiday Hunger be taken seriously and to publish guidance on Free School Meals for those who have to self-isolate.

During the Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday 6^th October, the Labour led-administration announced a plan would be put in place to deal with holiday hunger over all school holidays – starting from October half term.

The plan will make sure children and young people who are eligible for free school meals will receive them across all school holidays and should they have to self-isolate.

The announcement was in response to a question raised by Cllr David Sedgwick, Member for Heatons North, who cited concerns over rises in both holiday hunger and food bank usage during the pandemic.

Research from the Trussell Trust revealed three million children are at risk of hunger during school holidays, while the Independent Food Aid Network has recorded a 59% increase in emergency food support.

Cllr Sedgwick also urged the Council to write to the government and demand they publish comprehensive guidance on Free School Meals for those who have to self-isolate as a matter of urgency.

In response Cllr Colin Foster, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, detailed how Stockport Council with partners, voluntary organisations and food banks along with schools helped to provide food over the recent summer holidays to help tackle holiday hunger.

However, since 1^st March 2020, Free School meals eligibility had increased by 13% to 6796 children in Stockport who were now eligible for Free School meals.

Cllr Foster, said;

“The rise in free school meals is not just a consequence of Covid crisis, but a consequence of a rise in poverty.

“I can understand the government faces an extremely difficult challenge trying to deal with a global health pandemic, but children should not be allowed to go hungry as a result.

“After a review of the summer initiatives, this Labour Council is simply not prepared to sit back and allow that to happen. We will make sure a plan is put in place to provide free school meals across all of the holidays and for those who have to self-isolate.

The government must do more to tackle this insidious problem and publish comprehensive guidance on the matter.”

ENDS.