Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he is confident that the Holiday Activities and Food Programme is reaching all eligible children.

The department is investing over £200 million a year in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which is targeted primarily towards children who receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM). Local authorities also have discretion to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of FSM but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF provision.

The programme reached over 600,000 children and young people in England in summer 2021, including over 495,000 children eligible for FSM. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the offer of free holiday club provision is available for all children in receipt of benefits-related FSM in their area. Attendance at the holiday clubs is voluntary.