Cuts to kids holiday funding set for debate

Dudley Council is facing a cut in funding for a scheme which provides support for deprived families during school holidays.

At its meeting on June 11, the authority’s cabinet is set to debate a report on the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) for the borough’s children and young people.

The report seeks approval to begin the process of identifying a provider for the programme when the current provider’s contract runs out in 2027.

The report, signed by John Macilwraith, Dudley director of children and young people, said: “The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides support to children from low-income families during school holiday periods. 

“Research has shown that the school holidays can be pressure points for some families. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap. 

“Children from low-income households are more likely to experience food insecurity and social isolation, miss out on physical activity and enriching experiences, and fall behind in development and well-being.”

Funding for the HAF programme comes from central government and councillors will be told the amount allocated for Dudley children is being reduced by 2.4 percent for the 2026/27 year from £1.27m to £1.24m. 

The pain of the cut looks likely to be borne by back room staff, guidance says for the 26/27 year the percentage of the allocation spent on management and oversight should be reduced to 7.5 percent from ten percent.

The report said: “The programme is now well-established and efficiencies are expected to be achieved in the administration of activities.”

The programme is aimed at families where children are eligible for free school meals; councils have discretion to use some funding (Dudley predicts around 15 percent) to provide holiday club places for children who do not meet the criteria but may benefit from the scheme.

In January 2026 around 13,000 children or young people in Dudley were eligible to access the HAF Programme.