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Written question asked by Emma Lewell (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026. It was answered by Olivia Bailey (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Holiday Activities and Food Programme

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to remove means-testing for families to access the holiday activities and food programme.

Answer

The eligibility for the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme in 2026 to 2027 continues to be children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM) up until September 2026

Local authorities will continue to have flexibility to use up to 15% of their funding to support other children and young people who may benefit from HAF in line with local need and priorities

Some local authorities procure the use of bespoke booking systems from relevant organisations for parents and families to book places on the HAF programme. The department does not hold data on the amounts that individual local authorities pay for procurement of booking systems.



Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6387
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Holiday activities and food programme
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk