Food vouchers will be available in Sandwell this autumn half-term for around 22,000 children eligible for free school meals.

Each eligible child will get £15 per week in food vouchers that parents can spend at their local supermarket.

Sandwell Council has confirmed that for the two-week Christmas holidays this year, each eligible child will get £25 per week.

Parents will be contacted by their child's school in the run-up to school holidays. There is no need to apply.

Over the course of this financial year, Sandwell Council has committed to spend £3.9million on food vouchers during school holidays for eligible families from its Household Support Fund allocation. Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

“Rising food costs are only adding to the demands on families during this cost of living emergency.

“It's very important we continue to help families during the school holidays and I would like to thank schools in helping us to distribute these much-needed food vouchers.”

Council Leader Councillor Kerrie Carmichael added: “We’re doing everything we can to support Sandwell residents during these difficult times and I would urge anyone who is looking for help to visit our Supporting Sandwell information hub where there’s lots of advice and information available.

“Seek help as early as you can – getting help sooner rather than later can save you from more worry in the long run.”