Joint statement from Cllrs Ahmet & Brabazon on the Mayor of London's £130m announcement
The Leader, Cllr Peray Ahmet, and our Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families, Cllr Zena Brabazon, have issued the following joint statement in response to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's announcement today (Monday 20 February 2023) that all primary schoolchildren in London will receive a Free School Meal throughout the 2023-24 academic year as part of an emergency, one-off £130m support payment.
This is fantastic news for our children and families here in Haringey that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will be funding Free School Meals (FSMs) for all of London’s primary schoolchildren from this September onwards.
It’s important to stress that this is a one-off £130m payment for one academic year (2023-24) only in response to the Cost of Living Crisis, but this timely support is warmly welcomed by us all the same.
We know the escalating cost of energy and food has hit a large number of families in our borough, leaving them with a deplorable choice that nobody should have to make – should I feed my kids or heat our home today?
Strong measures have already been taken here in Haringey to help our young children and families who are eligible to receive FSMs over the school holidays via the Household Support Fund and we also have our Here to Help scheme and the Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme.
We have an enhanced Free School Meals offer too in Haringey, which goes above and beyond what central government currently provides.
We are doing everything in our power to help support those who are struggling at this incredibly difficult and challenging time.
There remains an urgent need for even more support and – with central government not stepping in to fill the void – this emergency injection to all London councils from City Hall is a vital lifeline for many across Haringey and the capital at large.
This much-needed support will not only provide every primary schoolchild in London with a hot, nutritious meal for every day they’re at school, but also could save the average family around £440 per child across those 12 months.
However, with four in 10 London children living in poverty, there remains the issue of what can be done in the meantime and what will be done from September 2024.
That is why we are calling on central government to provide local authorities like ourselves with long-term and sustainable funding for children and young people. They should not be going hungry in the classroom at a critical time in their physical and mental development overall.
Tell us what you think about this page
Problem with a service?
If you have a service problem or complaint you need help with then please visit our contact pages.
Help us improve this page
If you want to make comments specifically about this page, then please click the button below.
Haringey, Here to Help
See what help and support is available for residents
Haringey People Extra
e-newsletter