Covid winter grant scheme to help vulnerable West Norfolk families

West Norfolk families hardest hit by the pandemic will benefit from a new £170 million scheme unveiled by the Government.

North West Norfolk MP James Wild has welcomed the move to help low income families who need extra support this winter with food and bills.

The Covid winter grant scheme will see councils share £170 million in additional, ring-fenced funding to help vulnerable families and individuals, with Norfolk County Council receiving £2,740,592.35.

A further £220 million will be invested in extending the holiday and food programme until next Christmas.

This means all children eligible for free school meals will have the option to join a holiday-time programme that provides healthy food and fun activities during the holiday periods.

Mr Wild said: “No child should ever go hungry and I welcome this new funding to ensure local families that need extra support with food and bills this winter can access it.

“I’m also pleased that the prime minister has announced the extension of the holiday activities and food programme, which provides healthy food and activities for children during the school holidays and has a major impact on disadvantaged young people, to cover Easter, summer, and Christmas next year.

“This is part of our commitment to targeted action to support low income families and activities that give children the best opportunity to succeed – this is a better approach than just asking schools to provide vouchers at times when they are closed.”

It comes after Boris Johnson decided to take a second U-turn in response to professional footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend food voucher funding for hungry children.

The winter grant scheme move represents a climbdown for the government, which had said Universal Credit was the best way to help.

The Prime Minister contacted Mr Rashford on Saturday after his match for Manchester United regarding the new plans.

Mr Rashford told the BBC: “I very much welcome the steps that have been taken to combat child food poverty in the UK.”