Last week, the Department for Work and Pensions announced that Surrey will receive £2.1m to support vulnerable families and individuals this winter.

This funding, from a new Covid Winter Support Grant Scheme, will allow Surrey County Council (SCC) to directly help the hardest-hit families and individuals, as well as providing food for children who need it over the holidays. At least 80% of the funding will be earmarked to support people with food and bills. SCC will receive the funding at the beginning of December, with the support lasting until April next year.

In addition to this, local children who are eligible for Free School Meals will soon benefit from an expansion of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme. This programme, which provides healthy food and enriching activities during school holidays, will be available across England next year thanks to a funding boost of up to £220 million. This means that all local children eligible for Free School Meals will have the option to join a holiday-time programme during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.

These developments are welcome news for local residents. While Coronavirus remains a real challenge, these steps will offer significant help to the most vulnerable in our communities.