Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the long-term funding security for local authorities to deliver holiday activity programmes in community hubs.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme supports children from low-income families by providing access to nutritious meals, enriching activities and safe places during the school holidays.

In August 2025, the government confirmed over £600 million of funding for the HAF programme covering the financial years 2026/2027, 2027/2028 and 2028/2029. This multi-year commitment provides local authorities with greater certainty and stability, enabling longer-term planning and investment to support effective programme delivery.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning HAF provision that best meets the needs of their communities. They have flexibility in how they deliver the programme and may choose to work with a range of providers and partners. This may include delivering or hosting HAF activities through community hubs where appropriate.

The government's wider investment in family and youth services, including Best Start Family Hubs and Young Futures Hubs, supports the development of community-based services and local partnerships. These can provide valuable opportunities to connect children and families to HAF activities and other forms of assistance, helping to strengthen services and maximise the impact of public investment.