Struggling parents across Dumfries and Galloway are set to be given an extra £20 per week during the school holidays to help feed their kids.
A proposal will be put forward at the council’s communities committee next week for the continuation of holiday payments to support primary and secondary youngsters who are entitled to free school meals.
The help was set up two years ago when the pandemic began, giving eligible families £17.50 a week during school breaks.
In a report for next Tuesday’s committee, council service manager Mark Molloy writes: “It is proposed that this is increased from £17.50 per week to £20 per week to reflect an increase inflation that is contributing to increased costs for families.”
The Scottish Child Poverty Action Group recommended to all councils to introduce the direct payments to families in receipt of free school meals.
“A cash first approach was acknowledged as the best way to support people,” Mr Molloy says.
The council has received funding of £543,000 from the Scottish Government to support the programme. However, it does not fully cover the overall cost.
This is because the government funding only covers Monday-Friday and is also funded at a lower rate, not the increase to £20 per week being put forward by the council.
Any shortfalls have previously been met using Covid-19 funding. However, council officers have recommended that the communities committee requests £639,324 from the finance, procurement and transformation committee.
The council report continues: “Alongside this the Scottish Government now give a child cash payment to all families of £150 per child to support families during the school holidays.”
