Laura Sharman 09 November 2020

Councils welcome £170m COVID winter grant scheme

A new £170m COVID winter grant scheme will be distributed to councils to stop children going hungry during the second wave of the pandemic.

At least 80% of the funding will be used to help families pay for bills and provide food for children over the holidays.

The Government has confirmed the Holiday Activities and Food programme will be expanded across England next year, while Healthy Start scheme payments will increase from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from next April.

Work and pensions secretary, Thérèse Coffey, said: ‘We want to make sure vulnerable people feel cared for throughout this difficult time and, above all, no one should go hungry or be unable to pay their bills this winter.’

Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said: ’The winter grant will allow councils to use the funding in the best way to help families and individuals most in need in their local community, including putting plans in place to ensure children will not go hungry in the Christmas holidays and February half-term.

’The uplift to the Healthy Start Vouchers, which is what the LGA has previously called for before the pandemic, and the extension to the Holiday Activities and Food programme, will help children enjoy a healthy lifestyle from a young age.’

Footballer Marcus Rashford has been lobbying the Government to extend free school meals.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Graduate Trainee Emergency Planning and Resilience Consultant

Essex County Council
£27055.00 - £31829.00 per annum
Are you a Graduate, looking to become part of a crucial, efficient and high achieving team? England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Finance Officer- Transactional Services

Essex County Council
£34121.00 - £40142.00 per annum
Senior Finance Officer- Transactional ServicesFixed Term, Full Time£34,121 up to £40,142 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Durham and Chester le Street Locality Team, temporary until 30 September 2026 subject to the r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner