Half a Million Kids in the UK Face Hunger Without £1bn Crisis Fund
If the government fails to renew the £1 billion household support fund (HSF), over half a million children could face hunger during school holidays. This is according to a warning from charities.
The role of HSF in supporting families
The HSF has been crucial in providing support to families struggling with poverty and hardship. Last year, English councils spent £370 million on holiday food vouchers for pupils on free school meals (FSM). However, many councils have stated that this support could disappear if the HSF is discontinued.
The consequences of HSF discontinuation
The discontinuation of the HSF could have devastating consequences for families in need. It could lead to:
- Increased child hunger: Many children rely on school meals for their main source of nutrition, and without HSF funding for holiday food vouchers, they could go hungry.
- Financial hardship: The HSF provides support for essential items like food, clothing, and heating. Without this support, families could struggle to make ends meet.
- Increased strain on public services: Poverty and deprivation can lead to increased demand for public services such as healthcare and social services.
The state of local crisis support
The report by End Furniture Poverty reveals that the local crisis support safety net in England is fragmented and in many areas, nonexistent. Council-run local crisis support would disappear from nearly a third of English local authority areas if the HSF is discontinued.
The impact on food banks
Many food banks have become reliant on HSF cash grants to meet the increased demand for food. If the HSF is discontinued, these food banks could be pushed to the brink of insolvency.
Government pressure to decide the future of HSF
The government is under pressure to urgently decide the future of the HSF. The funding for the scheme runs out on 30 September, and campaigners are urging the government to renew it.
The government's stance on HSF
The government has not yet made a decision on the future of the HSF. However, they have acknowledged the importance of supporting families in need and have committed to tackling child poverty.
The need for a long-term solution
The HSF is a temporary measure, and it is important to find a long-term solution to address child hunger and poverty. Campaigners are calling for the government to maintain the HSF for at least six months and to conduct a review of local authority crisis support.
