Families across the UK struggle to afford healthy food during school holidays as support scheme remains suspended

Families across the United Kingdom face mounting pressure to feed their children nutritious meals during school holidays as food prices remain elevated, forcing difficult trade-offs between affordability and health. A suspended support scheme that once provided £27 per eligible child every two weeks could be reinstated if a new legislative proposal passes at Stormont.

The Challenge Facing Families

Single mother Susan Lilley, who is training to become a classroom assistant, describes the weekly grocery shop as one of her most significant financial worries. Without access to pandemic-era holiday food assistance, she frequently chooses less nutritious, cheaper processed foods because fresh produce has become unaffordable for her household.

The contrast in pricing is stark. Lilley explains that a 35-pence donut represents a drastically different nutritional value than a £4.50 box of strawberries, yet the price difference forces families toward the former despite understanding its limited benefit for children's cognitive development and long-term health. Her daughter wanted strawberries during a recent shopping trip, but Lilley had to ask her to select an alternative item due to cost.

Policy Changes and Their Impact

During the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 90,000 children from low-income families received fortnightly payments of £27 during school holidays. The Department of Education discontinued the scheme in March 2023, citing budget constraints. The then permanent secretary described this decision as the most difficult of his tenure.

For families with household incomes below £15,390 annually, the payments made a tangible difference in their ability to provide balanced nutrition. Lilley, who received support during the pandemic, witnessed firsthand how it alleviated the pressure of feeding her children during extended breaks from school.

A Path Forward

Assembly member Danny Baker of Sinn Féin has introduced legislation that would restore the holiday food payments scheme. If passed, the measure would cost approximately £20 million annually. Advocates argue that ensuring children have access to adequate nutrition is essential for their development, educational performance, and future prospects.

Although UK food inflation rates have moderated, prices continue rising at a slower pace than before. This ongoing pressure means families remain vulnerable during holiday periods when school meals are unavailable and household food budgets stretch further.