Peterborough families to receive free supermarket vouchers this half-term
Qualifying families will be entitled to £10 voucher that will replace free school meals typically made available during term-time
Peterborough City Council has announced it will be issuing free supermarket vouchers to some families across the city over the upcoming May half-term holidays.
The initiative will see around 13,000 children and young people within the Peterborough City Council area receive vouchers worth over £130,000.
This will equate to each family being awarded a voucher worth £10.
"I am delighted that once again we will be providing vulnerable families to receive supermarket vouchers to help them with the costs of feeding their children during the school holidays,” said Councillor Ray Bisby, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education.
The vouchers will be sent automatically via text and email on May 25 to eligible families using school data and information held by the council.
Those entitled to them will typically be in receipt of:
- Income-related Free School Meals (children and young people aged four to 16),
- Early Years Pupil Premium under the income-based criteria,
- Funded Childcare and Education for two-year-olds under the income-based criteria.
It is important to note that all supermarket vouchers received by eligible families must be activated by June 21 or they will become invalid.
The council is encouraging all families to check whether their children may be eligible for free school meals during term-time. Any household that qualifies for free school meals would be eligible for supermarket vouchers during the holidays.
Councillor Bisby is keen to ensure everyone who is entitled to receive a voucher gets one:
"I would urge anyone who is eligible for the scheme but has not already signed up to please consider doing so as these vouchers have helped thousands of families across the city,” he said.
More information about free school meals and how to apply can be found at www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/schools-and-education/holiday-voucher-scheme.
The councillor explained that the free school meals initiative is effectively a ‘win-win’ for everyone involved.
“The free school meals scheme not only helps families saving around £450 a year per child but also helps their child's primary school receive much-needed additional funding."