We know that this year has been an especially challenging one, with the Tories cost of living crisis leaving us all feeling squeezed. This has left some families through no fault of their own struggling to ensure their children can start school fed and ready to learn. Visiting schools this year it was heartbreaking to hear stories of teachers having to bring in food from home for pupils they are worried about, or feeling guilty raiding school breakfast supplies for a pupil only to worry that it meant another might have to go without.

That’s why we were proud to announce in October we had found £300k to support our primary schools in providing breakfast for those who need it. It’s been fantastic to see so many local primary schools signing up to the scheme, tailoring the offer to meet the needs of their school communities and ensuring that as a result of our commitment hundreds of additional pupils are able to start their days with a breakfast at school.

The challenges faced by families don’t end when schools close for the holidays though, and that’s why we are also providing a range of support and activities over the winter break. This year this will include setting aside £315k to provide vouchers for children in receipt of free school meals (FSM), supporting up to 11,500 children over the holidays. On top of that, we will be delivering a programme of activities across the borough for young people aged 5-16. This will see up to 1350 young people a day able to access free holiday provision, including healthy food, with places prioritised for those in receipt of benefit-related FSM.

On top of this, we’ll be continuing to deliver our cost of living support announced earlier in the year including:

•  £200,000 in vouchers for families working with our Early Help and Children’s Social Care teams – to help our most vulnerable households pay for utilities and cover the costs of food
• £100,000 distributed through schools and nurseries to vulnerable families with emerging need
• An extra £90,000 in financial support for care leavers, young carers and to provide short breaks for children with special educational needs and disabilities
• These measures are enabling us to work with our schools, nurseries and children’s centres to help protect young people across the borough from the worst of the Tories cost of living crisis.  It’s been an inspiration working with them all over the last year and seeing them go above and beyond for our young people time and time again. We know this holiday period will be no different, and want to pass on our gratitude to everyone whose played a part in supporting these efforts.

Of that £120k, over a quarter of it (£33k) has been given to schools across Waltham Forest to help feed children and parents fighting against the cost of living crisis this winter, caused by this Conservative government.