A multi-million-pound national support scheme to offer children, families and vulnerable individuals during the winter months has been welcomed by Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely.
The Island will receive £456,845, going directly to Island families.
The COVID Winter Grant Scheme – worth £170million – will help families with food costs, heat homes and pay the bills as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hits. It is designed to complement the Free School Meals programme, following the campaign from footballer Marcus Rashford.
Mr Seely said:
“It is the right thing to do. This package of practical measures complements and improves on the important Free School Meals programme by taking a long-term approach to tackling poor health, hunger and education. For us here, that’s an additional £456,845 going to Island families.
“The funding – to be distributed by local councils – will be ring-fenced, with at least 80% earmarked to support with food and bills providing food for children who need it over the holidays.”
The Government’s scheme will allow councils to help the hardest-hit families and individuals, as well as provide food for children who need it over the holidays.
Mr Seely said:
“Local councils understand which groups need support and are best placed to ensure appropriate holiday support is provided – which is why they will distribute the funds. Schools will continue providing meals for disadvantaged children during term-time.”
The Isle of Wight Council will receive its share in December.
Alongside its winter support scheme, the government has also announced it will expand the Holiday Activities and Food programme – investing £220m – to provide healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children.
It has also promised to increase Healthy Start scheme payments from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021 to support pregnant women or those with children under four who have a low income and are in receipt of benefits to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
Mr Seely said:
“This support will be in place throughout some of the most challenging months ahead when people will most need it, not just for a couple of weeks.
“This additional help, combined with the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of March and a range of other support measures, will make a huge difference to those who are struggling at this time.”
Council Leader Dave Stewart said:
“I am extremely encouraged that the Government has come forward to confirm they will be ensuring all qualifying children receive the support of free meals over Christmas and also other holidays in the new year.
“This is good news for the Island as we have many youngsters who will benefit from this additional provision and I am grateful that our MP Bob Seely has offered his support to this programme. It means no Island child should go hungry this Christmas.”
Sausage
Even more for those who don’t ever pay in, only take out for the larger percentage.
Many don’t pay rent or c.tax, now get free food for numerous clones, and still get hundreds in child tax credits and child allowance, no wonder dope is so affordable.
There pets are treated for free, as are the whole family, no dentist fees or prescriptions, so WHAT do they spend their charity Government cash on?
I would imagine the £80-100 a week these people are left with after rent and council tax is spent on clothing, food and heating. The benefits system has been radically changed – it’s an essential part of our society and whilst abused by a minority, is a lifeline for many. You try covering yourself bills and food on £80 a week when you have children.
Try not having so many kids without having the cash to raise them.
And those who were in work at the birth of their children but no longer are? I guess we could just exterminate the kids eh? Try to expand your thinking rather than jumping on a misleading bandwagon matey.
only those who get credits now will get the extra
Hounds?
This would be the support package he couldn’t bring himself to vote for in Parliament last week? Not fit to be a human, let alone to represent humans.
How much am I entitled to?
Looking to get something nice in the Harrods January sale
What do you think Ebeneezer?
Good to see the useless sausage chomper attaching himself to this initiative – which he had NOTHING to do with. Band and wagon, Bob.