“It is vitally important to us that no child should go hungry over the school holiday.”
Those were the words of Cllr Debbie Andre (pictured), the Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills, in October 2021.
Fast forward to today and parents are left confused to learn that the food voucher scheme during school holidays for those on free school meals has been withdrawn after the Government changed how the funding could be used.
One school told parents that the council had asked for details of the Community Pantry scheme be passed on.
Silence from Cllr Andre
With half-term taking place next week, News OnTheWight wrote to Cllr Debbie Andre this morning (Tuesday) to ask how parents who qualify for the scheme across the Island, but have no transport, are supposed to get to the Community Pantry in East Cowes?
She failed to respond to our email.
IWC: Only ever intended to be a short-term scheme
Instead, a spokesperson for Isle of Wight council told News OnTheWight that new guidance issued by the DWP, on 20th April, has changed how the funding can be spent. They explained,
“When the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched the Covid Winter Grant in December 2020, which was used to fund school holiday food vouchers, it was only ever intended to be a short-term scheme to help families through the toughest times of the pandemic.
“Whilst we have seen funding continue to help vulnerable families across the UK, the latest guidance from DWP has seen a change in how that funding must be spent, and that has left most Local Authorities unable to fund the school holiday food vouchers.”
Visit the Community Pantry
There are plans for three community pantries on the Isle of Wight.
The first to open was in East Cowes last month. The second is due to open in Ventnor on Tuesday 31st May (at Babybox), and a third is scheduled to open in Ryde after the half-term break on 9th June.
How does it work?
Any household can apply for membership of a community pantry, where they pay £5 to receive £15 plus worth of food.
The pantry will provide a range of fresh, frozen and general food, which is likely to change on a weekly basis dependent on the food delivered by the suppliers.
Further information on the pantries, along with their contact details can be found on the Website.
IWC: Vouchers do not provide a sustainable longer-term solution to poverty
The Isle of Wight council spokesperson added further details about future support planned for those struggling.
They told News OnTheWight,
“A voucher scheme will shortly be available to vulnerable households which will provide a one-off £125 food voucher for residents eligible for Local Council Tax Support and Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit, a one-off £50 food voucher per household eligible for Local Council Tax Support and benefits-related Free School Meals and/or, a one-off £25 food voucher for residents eligible for Local Council Tax Support where there are no children or pensioners living at the property.
Full details of how to obtain the vouchers will be published widely.
“Vouchers do not provide a sustainable longer-term solution to poverty.
“Other initiatives include support with the costs of utility bills through Citizens Advice, help with exceptional housing costs through the council and a broad range of community projects across the County.”
Article edit
6.01pm 24th May 2022 – Altered article to reflect it was the Government changes to how funding that stopped, not actions taken by IWC. Also advice to use Pantries came from a school not IWC.
7.15pm 24th May 2022 – Altered article to repeat that it was changes made by the Government on how funding could be used. Sentence about advice to use pantries amended to show school said it was IWC who asked them to pass on pantry details to parents, directly linking the end of the scheme to use of pantry scheme.
