Extra £3m found for more free school meal vouchers and cost of living support in Salford

Salfordians can expect to see an increase in free school meal vouchers and extra cost of living support thanks to a £3 million funding boost in the city.

The multi-million pound funding will support families and young people by increasing school holiday meal vouchers to £90 per child during the six week summer break, provide help for care leavers with the cost of utility bills, and see new homeless initiative across the city.

The funding comes from a one-off refund of £3.203 million to Salford City Council from the Greater Manchester Waste Levy

Increased investment will also be made to deliver a benefit take-up campaign for people of pensionable age, along with support and welfare rights advocacy.

Salford Community Leisure (SCL) will provide subsidised activities for low income families and the successful Holiday Activity Fund will be extended to provide a universal low cost offer to all during the school holidays.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “On the one hand it’s absolutely tragic that we’re having to use a one-off refund… to deliver this much needed Cost of Living Support Fund…

“Currently the government’s Household Support Fund is only confirmed until the end of this financial year, after not being uprated by inflation this year.  It is critical the government urgently look to increase annual allocations of the fund by inflation and provide councils up-and-down the country with certainty about its continuation in the medium to long-term.

“Our new additional measures will provide much needed support to many people in need across Salford. We’ve put a lot of consideration into how we can make the greatest impact on those hit hardest by the national cost-of-living crisis. Bolstering funds in key places will be a real life saver, directly putting money in the pockets of our residents who continue to struggle with rising food, energy and housing costs.

“We’re committed to supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, with both financial assistance, advice & guidance, as well as through our partnership working in the city, as tackling poverty and inequality continues to remain a priority for the Mayoral Team and the work of the City Council.

“In the Spirit of Salford, we’re working together with organisations across the city to help support residents at this difficult time.”

Residents can find help on a range of cost-of-living issues on the Salford City website.