16th September 2025

Letter Regarding Free School Meal Vouchers

September 2025

Dear Parent/Carer

We’re getting in touch to let you about some changes being made to the way we distribute the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).

A reduction of 12% in the total amount Nottingham receives in Household Support Fund in 2025/26 means we have had to make the difficult decision to end provision of Free School Meal vouchers during school holiday periods.

Continuing this support would use approximately 58% of the available funding and significantly reduce the amount of crisis and proactive support we can provide in other vital areas such as paying utility bills, meeting other essential living costs or housing costs or buying food.

We understand that this change may have a considerable impact on households who have previously relied on this support, especially during times when children are not in school and access to meals may be more limited.

As a FSM parent your child is entitled to support during school holidays through the Governments Holiday Activity Fund, known as Free Fun and Food in Nottingham. This programme has been extended until March 2029 and provides fun and engaging activities as well as a healthy meal for children during holiday periods. Further information can be found on Ask Lion on the Free Fun and Food webpage which is updated before each holiday period. This page shows you what’s available and how to book a place for your child when activities go live - HAF - Free Fun and Food in Nottingham

Further support is available and if you haven’t yet done so, you can apply for a £75 supermarket voucher and 2 x £49 energy vouchers through our website as part of our HSF support programme, subject to availability. We would be grateful if you could help us to encourage families to check with advice agencies, local community organisations and food support services about the help they may be able to offer. Additionally there is further information regarding support available and other benefits families may be entitled to on our webpage - Household Support Vouchers - Nottingham City Council with further detailed information available on ASKLiON | Ask Lion - Nottingham City Directory.

Kind Regards

Nottingham City Council