Stuart Anderson MP is delighted that the government has continued funding for holiday clubs in South Shropshire.
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) provides free holiday clubs for children from low income backgrounds, including those eligible for free school meals.
Each year, the last government provided over £200 million funding for local authorities to deliver highly impactful school holiday provision.
Since 2021, Shropshire Council has successfully worked in partnership with organisations from across the county in the private, voluntary, and public sectors to deliver the programme.
Stuart launched his campaign for continued funding last Autumn, in response to which Ministers had said that funding was subject to the Spending Review that was delivered in June.
Ministers have now announced a £600 million extension to continue the programme for three years. They said this will "close the development gap, boosts confidence and social skills, and has already reached over half a million children in the past year."
Stuart has welcomed the extension of the programme, which helps parents to make savings of over £300 a year. Thousands of young people in Shropshire have already benefitted from the free holiday clubs, including those with special educational needs.
The government has also accepted Stuart's request to extend the provision of free breakfast clubs. Ministers have told Stuart local families can "expect to see free breakfast clubs in every primary school soon."
Stuart launched this campaign following a visit to Kinlet C of E Primary School on 27th June 2025. There, he met with a group of year six pupils called the 'Courageous Advocates.'
Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan MP stated:
"It is admirable that the group is speaking up on behalf of fellow pupils in South Shropshire. I hope they continue to work together to look for solutions to problems for the benefit of society."
Stuart has now said that dedicated holiday provision is needed for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It follows research, which has shown that the number of children on education, health and care plans in Shropshire has tripled over the last five years – with 2,500 children now being supported by a plan.
In February, Stuart urged Ministers to improve access to specialist education in rural areas like South Shropshire. As part of the holiday clubs, councils must ensure they put in place any reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"As a parent, I want to ensure that every child is supported to succeed. The last government provided funding for every local authority to deliver highly impactful school holiday provision, providing hundreds of thousands of children from low income families with heathy meals and enriching activities. I called for an extension of this funding, which I am pleased that Ministers have accepted. I am pleased that Ministers have also accepted my request to extend the provision of free breakfast clubs to schools across South Shropshire. Ministers must now improve provision for children with special educational needs."
