Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2023-10-23

2023-10-23

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Caroline Ansell
▸ Context
The question arises from the need to assess the effectiveness of a government program designed to support children during school holidays.
What recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the holiday activities and food programme. I am concerned about the positive impacts these programmes are having on issues such as improving attendance, health, behaviour, and confidence in children.
Gillian Keegan
The holiday activities and food programme supported 685,000 children last summer. One child in Stoke increased their school attendance by 32% and is no longer considered persistently absent. The programmes improve health, behaviour and confidence in children.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Caroline Ansell
▸ Context
The question follows from the initial assessment of the effectiveness of the HAF programme, focusing on providing more opportunities for specific groups.
Given that there is a connection between attendance and HAF uptake, what more can we do to provide and promote opportunities for children and young people with SEND, and also for the 11-plus and early teens?
Gillian Keegan
HAF was open to children from ages five to 16, and local authorities should meet the needs of all cohorts. Local authorities should offer programmes for older children and those with special educational needs.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or actions for supporting SEND children and early teens were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Sharon Hodgson Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
▸ Context
The question stems from the need to address the increasing demand for HAF schemes, especially in light of the cost of living crisis.
Does the Minister have any plans to extend the scheme further? There is obviously a lot more need than the current HAF schemes can meet, especially with the cost of living crisis. I visited my local HAF in Washington over the last few summers and will continue to do so at Christmas.
Gillian Keegan
685,000 children were helped just this summer. Two thirds of the 700,000 children attending live in some of the most deprived areas across the country. We believe we are getting the targeting right and want to ensure it benefits as many people as possible.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or actions for extending the scheme were not provided.
Response accuracy