Ministers announce funding for children from low income families over school holidays

School children from low income families will benefit from new Scottish Government funding to help with meals and accommodation through the summer holidays.

Charities and councils around Scotland will receive a funding boost of £350,000 to increase their support work while schools are closed, ministers have announced.

Organisations Cash for Kids, CentreStage, Community Food Initiatives North East, Moray Food Plus and Milton Holiday Hub in the Highlands will share in the funding.

Cash for Kids will receive the bulk of the money in order to provide services such as community groups and holiday programmes around the country. The charity estimates its work will reach up to 61,000 children this year.

The Scottish Government made the funding available following recommendations by the Poverty and Inequality Commission in a report published in November 2018.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The school holidays are a time for fun, but I know it can be a struggle for families when schools are closed.

“That is why we are working in partnership with the third sector and councils to provide more places where children and young people can go during the school holidays to play, socialise, and, importantly, have a nutritious meal.

“We know that income is a key driver of food insecurity during the school holidays – our new Scottish Child Payment, worth £10 per week per eligible child, will lift 30,000 children out of poverty by 2023-24.”