Maria Miller has welcomed the Government’s latest announcement of winter funding for Hampshire County Council. The funding, which amounts to £2.89 million to support the most vulnerable children and families, will include provision of free meals to disadvantaged children over the Christmas holidays.

Commenting on the news, Maria Miller said,  ‘This Government has took unprecedented action to support families and jobs during the pandemic by increasing Universal Credit by £20 a week, funding councils to provide emergency food assistance to families, and allocating £63 million to councils for families in hardship. The battle against coronavirus is not over though, which is why I’m really pleased the government is extending its support for the hardest-hit families in the Basingstoke through free meals, Holiday Activities programme and Healthy Start payments.’

The Covid Winter Grant Scheme was announced over the weekend will support children, families and the most vulnerable over the Christmas period. Holiday Activities and Food programme will also be extended to cover the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks in 2021.

In addition to this, the Government is set to increase its Healthy Start payments from April 2021, which helps expectant mothers and mothers with young children on low incomes and those receiving benefits to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.