The Labour council has intervened again to support Calderdale’s low income families, as the Tory government refuses to fund free school meals over February half term.

Many families are struggling financially with the extra pressures of COVID-19, staying at home and home-schooling. In recognition of this, a one off payment of £15 for each child will be made to every low income family – the equivalent of what they would normally receive for free school meals.

This will help to ensure that the most disadvantaged children and young people in the borough are kept warm, well-fed, safe and healthy at home.

The latest fund builds on a number of initiatives the council is already running to help Calderdale’s low income families – including the Never Hungry Again campaign to eradicate child hunger, and the Laptops for Learning Appeal to get digital devices to disadvantaged children.

Councillor Adam Wilkinson said:

”It’s clear this government just doesn’t understand the challenges faced by many families in our borough.

“The colder weather combined with many pupils learning from home has had a big financial impact on our communities, with some families struggling to keep their homes warm and put food on the table.

“We are doing everything we can to support our most vulnerable residents and help them to do the right thing by staying at home.”

Donations are still welcome to the Laptops for Learning appeal and to the Never Hungry Again fund – please visit https://localgiving.org/charity/cffc/project/laptopforlearning/
or https://localgiving.org/charity/cffc/project/neverhungryagain/ to help.