Bedford Borough Lib Dems celebrate campaign win, supporting local families

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are celebrating a big campaign win after the Conservative Council announced it was continuing with Liberal Democrats Free School Meal Holiday Shopping Vouchers policy. Councillor Michael Headley, who introduced the scheme in 2020 and challenged the Executive at their meeting in June, welcomed the decision after a nervous wait for local residents.

For the summer holiday, Bedford Borough Council will continue to provide supermarket vouchers to thousands of families who are entitled to income related free school meals. Over 7000 children in the Borough will benefit as vouchers will be issued for the holiday period. The vouchers are provided through the Household Support Fund, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Cllr Headley said “After the delay to this decision, and an admission that it had not even been given much thought by the Conservative administration, so many parents and children will be relieved that this scheme is continuing and they will be supported over the summer holidays. The Free School Meal Holiday Shopping Vouchers were a lifeline for families when we introduced them and they are even more vital now with the cost of living crisis impacting households across the Borough.”

Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below and have applied for free school meals:

• Universal Credit - with an annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
• Early Years Pupil Premium
• Two Year Old Funding

Families with eligible children will receive their vouchers as they have previously, via an email or through their school or setting’s usual distribution process.

The Council and Bedford Borough schools are encouraging more families to register and apply for free school meals, so that they begin to receive the support they need.

To find out if you are eligible and to register for free school meals visit www.bedford.gov.uk/schools-education-and-childcare/education-welfare-service/free-school-meals/