The Scottish Government has announced that thousands of children from low-income families will benefit from free childcare, activities and healthy food as part of a new £10 million summer programme.
Available to children and young people aged five to 14-years-old who need it most, the funding has been allocated to local authorities across the country to supplement existing holiday programmes or to develop new ones. Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that support will be targeted at the six priority family types at greatest risk of poverty, including lone parent families and those with a disabled adult or child.
The funding is part of a national mission by the Scottish Government to tackle child poverty and, along with £21.75 million in funding for alternative holiday food provision for families eligible for free school meals, it is expected to provide much-needed support over the summer.
Ms Somerville explained: “School holidays can be expensive for families, especially when household bills are soaring. This funding means children and young people who really need it will be able to access coordinated childcare, activities and nutritious food over the summer.
“They will have opportunities to play, socialise and access a range of activities that broaden their experiences and supplement their learning.”
Almost 90% of all children in poverty in Scotland live within the six priority family types:
- Lone parent households
- Minority ethnic households
- Households with a disabled member
- Households with a child under one
- Households with a young mother under the age of 25
- Larger households with three or more children
Commenting on the extra support, COSLA Children and Young People's Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “The rising cost of living is exacerbating the already stark and unacceptable reality of poverty in the lives of children, young people, families and communities. We are pleased that this additional funding will enable local authorities to build on their regular summer programmes to enhance opportunities and support for priority groups of children and young people.”
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