Council leader reassures families over Government changes to food voucher scheme
East Sussex County Council’s leader has responded to criticism from an MP over the future of the summer food voucher scheme.
MP for Hastings and Rye, Helena Dollimore, had written to Cllr Andy Woolley asking why changes in Government funding had led to different support being offered by the county council.
Cllr Woolley responded to the MP, challenging her comments and highlighting the work being done by the county council and partners to support children and families facing hardship.
Dear Helena,
Suspension of free summer food vouchers
Thank you for your letter regarding support for families during the summer holidays.
I understand the concerns raised by families following the end of the holiday food voucher scheme and I welcome the opportunity to clarify the position.
The Government's Household Support Fund, which East Sussex County Council used to provide holiday supermarket vouchers to families eligible for benefits-related free school meals, ended on 31 March 2026. The Government replaced this with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026, with a different purpose and funding framework. The new fund is intended to provide support to households experiencing immediate financial hardship and to help build longer-term financial resilience, rather than providing universal holiday food vouchers to all families eligible for free school meals.
In recognition of the transition to the new arrangements, East Sussex County Council chose to continue holiday food vouchers during the Easter and May half-term holidays. However, the previous voucher scheme is no longer funded through the new Government arrangements.
I would therefore respectfully challenge the suggestion that the Council has chosen to "cut funding" for vulnerable families or is "making the conscious decision to let children go hungry". The Council remains fully committed to supporting children and families facing hardship and has been working with partners across the county to develop a comprehensive offer under the new Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Families were advised through schools in April and July that the holiday voucher scheme would not continue over the summer. We recognise that this change has caused concern and disappointment for some families, and we have been keen to ensure that support remains available through other routes.
Over the summer, families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can access free activities and nutritious meals through the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme. ESCC has used resource from the Crisis and Resilience Fund to expand this programme this year so more families receiving free school meals can benefit from this programme.
In addition, families experiencing financial hardship can seek support through the Council's Family Information Service, cost of living support services, and, where eligible, the new Crisis and Resilience Fund arrangements.
For any family concerned about accessing support during the summer holidays, assistance is available through:
• Family Information Service: 0345 60 80 192
• Holiday Activity and Food programme: free activities and meals for eligible children https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/children-families/childcare/welcome-to-holiday-food-and-fun
• Cost of Living Support services https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/cost-of-living-support
• Crisis and Resilience Fund support, where families meet the eligibility criteria following assessment of individual circumstances and need https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/social-care/benefits/crisis-and-resilience-fund
We recognise the pressures many families continue to face and remain committed to ensuring that the funding available is targeted towards those experiencing the greatest financial hardship, in line with the purpose of the new Government scheme.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Andy Woolley Leader
Karen Bowles
Thursday, 23 July 2026