Holiday Activities and Food Programme
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide a breakdown of the amounts paid by different local authorities across the country for the procurement of external bookings systems which allow families to access the holiday activities and food programme.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
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.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →