Supermarket vouchers for eligible families in Peterborough to support their children during the Christmas school holiday

The £30 vouchers will be sent automatically to eligible families using school data and information held by the council.

Vouchers will be sent out by text and email on December 17 and all vouchers must be activated by 9pm on January 18 or they will become invalid.

Any children who become eligible up to and including January 4 will also receive vouchers if an application has been made.

Vouchers will be distributed to families with children and young people who receive:

• Income based free school meals (pupils in Reception to Year 11)
• Early Years Pupil Premium - EYPP (with date of birth between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024)
• Funded childcare and education for 2-year-olds under the income-based criteria (with date of birth between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023)

Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: "We remain fully committed to supporting families in need of help and I'm delighted that once again we will be providing this worthwhile scheme over the Christmas break.

“As always, I would strongly urge anyone who is eligible for the scheme but has not already signed up to please consider doing so as soon as possible.

"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."

A council spokesperson said: “It may take up to 9pm on the day the voucher is sent for it to arrive.

“If you have more than one eligible child, the voucher links will probably come separately. Please wait until December 18 to contact us about any missing vouchers.”