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Cash boost for most vulnerable children and families across North Lincolnshire as part of £170m Government scheme

People, Health and Care
09:15, Friday, 13th November 2020

Families in North Lincolnshire hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic will benefit from a share of more than half a million pounds to help pay bills and buy food.

North Lincolnshire Council will get more than £530,000 through the Government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme which is designed to help those in need of extra support this winter.

It comes after the council funded from a Government grant free school meals through the October half term for almost 6,000 children.

This cash will support low income local families to get the help they need through to March next year. It builds on the £63m already provided to councils to assist those struggling because of Covid with food and essentials.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This extra cash from Government will ensure local families in need of extra support can access it.

“This is very welcome news in exceptional circumstances. Investing in children’s future is central to plans to level up and extend opportunity across the country – with this additional support we can prevent the hunger we know is so damaging to a child’s life chances.”

The cash will be available to the council to distribute in early December and comes alongside an additional £220m national investment to extend the Holiday and Food Programme until next Christmas, meaning all children eligible for free school meals will have the option to join a holiday-time programme that provides healthy food and fun activities during the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays next year.

As well as these measures, the Healthy Start payments scheme are set to rise from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April next year. This scheme helps pregnant women or those with children under four who have a low income and are in receipt of benefits to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cllr Waltham added: “These unprecedented times have created a need for unprecedented measures to protect the most vulnerable and a strong package of financial support to help families and children has been put in place.

“With this Government cash we can directly help the hardest-hit families and individuals, as well as provide food for children who need it over the holidays.”