The Midsomer Norton MP writes:

Last week, I received some information from Bath and North East Somerset Council regarding financial assistance for children who would, in school term time, be eligible for free school meals.

Parents of children who normally qualify for free school meals should have, by now, received an e-mail from the Council offering coupons worth £15 per child per week over the summer holidays and once they have confirmed whether they would like this assistance, a second e-mail will be sent containing 'select' codes with a web link to its supplier showing a selection of supermarkets. The voucher total can be used across these different supermarkets and according to the Council, 'codes can be added for each qualifying child to increase the reward total'.

I have been told that those entitled for benefit related free school meals who have not previously obtained a voucher can claim one through the Council's web portal: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meal-supermarket-vouchers. The telephone number for the Benefits Team is: 01225 477777 (option 4) if there is no access to the internet.

The Council confirmed that it will also be able to help families access other food support via its Welfare Support Team and the Community Wellbeing Hub. Further information can be found on its website: www.bathnes.gov.uk.

This extra help for families is being funded by the Department for Work and Pension's Household Support Fund that was introduced to help the most vulnerable households. I am delighted that £966,860.28 has been allocated to Bath and North East Somerset between April and September 2022, which I am sure will be much appreciated by those most in need.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance: www.jacobreesmogg.com / [email protected]