Change of funding model ends universal holiday vouchers
East Sussex County Council has confirmed it will no longer provide summer supermarket vouchers to all children eligible for free school meals after the government funding that paid for that scheme changed at the end of March.
The council says the previous support, paid for through the government's Household Support Fund, ended on 31 March and was replaced from 1 April by a new Crisis and Resilience Fund. The authority says the new fund is aimed at assisting households experiencing immediate financial hardship and at helping build longer-term financial resilience, rather than delivering universal holiday vouchers.
Political response and concern for families
Helena Dollimore, the local Member of Parliament, strongly criticised the move and described it as "disgraceful", calling for the decision to be reversed. She expressed particular concern about the timing of the council’s application process and its communication with families, arguing that the changes risk leaving some children without support during the school holidays.
"East Sussex’s Reform leadership should be honest with the public. They have made a political decision to take away school holiday meal vouchers from children who need them the most."
Council leader Cllr Andy Woolley has defended the change, stressing that the shift follows the end of one government scheme and the start of another. The council says the Crisis and Resilience Fund is intended to be targeted at those in immediate need rather than to replicate blanket voucher provision.
What the timeline and funding look like
Key dates and a funding figure cited publicly by the MP are summarised in the table below.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| End of Household Support Fund | 31 March |
| Start of Crisis and Resilience Fund | 1 April |
| Funding cited | £7.3 million (for the fund in April, as referenced by the MP) |
What this means for families in East Sussex
The practical effect, as described by opponents of the decision, is that families who previously received universal holiday vouchers because their children were eligible for free school meals may not receive the same blanket support this summer. The council has indicated that support will still be available, but through a different, means-tested or crisis-driven route, with applications due to open in September.
- Immediate impact: No universal summer supermarket vouchers issued under the previous scheme for this summer.
- New support model: Crisis and Resilience Fund aimed at immediate hardship and building resilience.
- Timing concern: Applications for the new fund are not opening until September, according to criticism from the MP.
The council’s explanation centres on following the new government guidance for the allocation of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which it says allows local authorities discretion to support families in crisis and does not mandate a blanket voucher scheme. Critics argue that the council should ensure interim assistance is available over the summer and improve communication to affected households.
Residents seeking clarity should monitor East Sussex County Council announcements for details on how to apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund and any alternative local provision arranged for the school holiday period.
