Children in London to receive millions of free meals over summer break

Millions of free meals are being given out to families over the summer holiday as part of a £3.5m emergency funding package from the mayor of London and the Felix Project.

Since April, more than three million meals have been delivered to children from low-income families in London, and that number is set to rise over the remainder of the summer.

It comes after the latest polling from YouGov Plc showed that half of parents and carers with children under 18 said they will struggle to pay for their regular household shop in the next six months.

The new programme enables children to access free food at community hubs and centres across the capital.

When the summer holidays finish, London households will continue to receive free school meals for the academic year as a result of £135m of emergency funding.

But funding for free school meals in England has not kept pace with inflation and since 2014, the per-meal funding rate has lost 16% of its value in real terms, according to Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: “It is simply appalling that so many families are struggling to put food on the table due to the spiralling cost of living. That is why I’ve once again stepped in with emergency funding to help those most in need during the school holidays.

“It cannot be right that in a city as prosperous as ours so many people are faced with impossible choices to try to feed their families. As Mayor, I will continue to do all I can to support Londoners and urge the Government to make full use of its powers to stop children going hungry, as we build a fairer city for all.”

Rachel Ledwith, head of community at The Felix Project, added: “We understand the summer holidays present many challenges for families, particularly those on low incomes and those whose children usually receive free school meals.

“That is why we are thrilled to be continuing our work with the Mayor of London and The Mayor’s Fund for London to help those struggling during these difficult times. We hope the meals and food will alleviate some of the stress so many families are feeling.”

It comes after the Labour party revealed in June that it will reject the policy to provide free school meals for all children if it wins the general election.