A ROW has erupted over plans to scrap free school meal vouchers during the holidays.
Sandwell’s four Labour MPs are urging the Reform-led Sandwell Council to rethink its proposals, warning that withdrawing the vouchers would cause real harm to families already struggling financially.
The vouchers offer support to low-income families during school holidays when children do not receive free meals at school.
Antonia Bance, Labour MP for Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley, said: "Children don’t stop needing lunch when term ends.
"For families already struggling to get by, holiday food vouchers are practical support at a time when household budgets are under real pressure.
"Reform councillors promised to stand up for local people and help with the cost of living.
"Taking this support away would make life harder for the very families they claimed they would help.
"The leader of the council and his cabinet must do the right thing and drop this proposal."
The proposal is due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting on July 15.
Ms Bance, along with Sarah Coombes, MP for West Bromwich, Alex Ballinger, MP for Halesowen and Gurinder Singh Josan CBE, MP for Smethwick, wrote a joint letter to Sandwell Council leader Ray Nock urging him to reconsider the plan.
Cllr Nock has responded to their letter, saying: "I can assure you that we are making support available, and I want to be really clear to those families in hardship in Sandwell who may be worried about the contents of your letter, and those who are struggling to afford food due to the challenging economic conditions and increase in food and energy prices recently, we are here to help and you should get in touch.
"As the report coming to cabinet next week makes clear, our proposed scheme will provide financial help with food costs. Up to £50 will be made available to anyone who is struggling at any time – not just families whose children receive benefit-related Free School Meals during the school holidays – up to a maximum of three payments in a 12-month period.
"We want people to know that support is available, and the council is here to help when you need it. Full details of how to apply to our scheme will be published on the council’s website after the cabinet meeting on July 15."
