1. Please could you complete the first tab of the attached spreadsheet with information relating to the number of children eligible for benefits-related free school meals in your local authority area at the census dates indicated.
2. In regards to the government’s COVID Winter Grant Scheme (and the subsequent COVID Local Support Grant):
a. Please provide a statement summarising (a) how much funding was received by your local authority through these schemes, and (b) how (if at all) you used this funding to provide food support to children eligible for benefits-related free school meals over each of the following time periods:
* Christmas school holidays (21/12/20 – 1/01/21)
* February school half-term (15/02/21 – 19/02/21)
* Easter school holidays (29/03/21 – 9/04/21)
* Summer school half-term (31/05-21 – 4/06/21)
* Duration of the scheme
b. Please complete the second tab of the attached spreadsheet answering the following questions (for each of the time periods listed):
* How many children on benefit-related free school meals were given any support through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme/COVID Local Support Grant?
* How much of the COVID Winter Grant Scheme/COVID Local Support Grant funding was spent to provide food support to families with children?
* How many meals (or cash/voucher equivalent) were provided through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme/COVID Local Support Grant funding in total?
* How many children eligible for benefits-related free school meals were provided meals through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme/COVID Local Support Grant?
3. In regards to the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme:
a. Please provide a statement summarising (a) how much funding was received by your local authority through this scheme for the 2020/2021 academic year, and (b) how (if at all) you used the Holiday Activity and Food Programme funding to provide food support to children eligible for benefits-related free school meals over each of the following time periods:
* Christmas school holidays (21/12/20 – 1/01/21)
* Easter school holidays (29/03/21 – 9/04/21)
* Summer school holidays (22/07/21 – 31/08/21)
* Academic year 2020-21
b. Please complete the third tab of the attached spreadsheet answering the following questions (for each of the time periods listed):
* How much of the funding received through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme was spent to provide food to children?
* How many meals (or cash/voucher equivalent) were provided through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme funding?
* How many children eligible for benefits-related free school meals were provided with meals through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme?
* How many children eligible for benefits-related free school meals but unable to partake in the offered activities were provided with meals through the Holiday Activity Food Programme?
* How many days of food and activity were provided for children eligible for benefit-related free school meals?
Devon County Council’s response to all questions can be found on the Free school meals and winter grants spreadsheet