The supermarket voucher scheme will operate in the upcoming half term holiday for all eligible families in Cambridgeshire.
Cambridgeshire County Council is continuing to run the scheme in the May half term using the Household Support Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions, with additional funding provided by the council.
Eligible families will automatically be sent a £15 voucher via email or text on Saturday 25 May. Any children who become eligible up until the 31 May will also receive vouchers. The voucher can be used at a choice of supermarkets. All vouchers must be claimed by 3pm on Friday 5 July.
The voucher scheme has been a huge success since it was introduced and appreciated keenly by families struggling in the current financial climate.
A survey revealed that over 70 per cent of families said the vouchers had helped them cope with the rising cost of living. More than 50 per cent said the scheme had reduced the need for them to seek other sources of support in the school holidays such as food banks.
Over 46 per cent of those responding to the survey said the vouchers had helped them buy healthier food such as fruit and vegetables for their families.
In addition to the holiday voucher scheme, there is further support available in response to the cost of living, which can be found here: Support with the cost of living - Cambridgeshire County Council
Councillor Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of the County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “We know how important these vouchers are to families struggling in the present financial climate, which is why the council agreed to continue funding them, even when the future of the Household Support Fund was uncertain. The scheme enables families to buy healthier food during the half term break – a lifeline to many who rely on free school meals during term time. This is all part of our ambition to be a fairer and more caring council.”
Further information about the Holiday Voucher Scheme, including FAQs for parents, can be found here Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme | Cambridgeshire County Council
