Council backs targeted support for families

On Tuesday, Cambridgeshire County Council agreed a motion to continue supporting children and families during school holidays, while ensuring compliance with the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) rules.

The decision follows debate after the Labour Government cut the Household Support Fund and replaced it with the smaller Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Councillor Alison Whelan (LD – Ely North), proposer of the amendment, said:

“No child in Cambridgeshire should go hungry during the school holidays, and today’s decision makes sure we continue to support families who need it most. But the reality is that the Government has changed the rules. The new Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed for targeted, needs-based support, not blanket schemes.

“The Government’s guidance and communications are clear that a blanket meal voucher scheme is effectively banned and that any use of the Crisis and Resilience Fund clearly requires assessment of need, wraparound support, and a move away from the previous universal approach. Simply recreating a blanket voucher scheme would breach those rules and putting vital funding at risk.

“Our amendment ensures we can still provide case-by-case support for families — but in a way that is lawful, robust and focused on those facing real financial hardship.”