Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to provide support to local authorities for individuals and families in food poverty over the 2021 summer holiday period.

On 1 December, the Government launched the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, now the Covid Local Support Grant, which has provided Local Authorities in England with additional funding to support families and individuals who are struggling with the cost of food and essential utility bills as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. On 21 June we extended this temporary scheme for a final time with an additional £160 million in funding through 30 September, taking total funding under the scheme to £429 million.

As part of this extension, the City of York Council has been allocated an additional £392,216, taking its total funding since 1 December to £1,051,874.54.

This year, we are also investing up to £220m in the Holiday Activities and Food programme which has been expanded to every local authority across England. Children eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals have the option to join a holiday club programme that provides healthy food and enriching activities during the Summer holiday period. We also increased the value of Healthy Start Vouchers from £3.10 to £4.25 in April.