PEOPLE struggling financially during the pandemic are to be given food vouchers for the half-term break later this month.

North Yorkshire County Council said a scheme to help low income families meet the cost of food for children during the school holidays had been extended by the Government.

It said the council would be sending out funding for the supermarket vouchers to schools, including academies, as well as early years providers, child minders and care leavers.

"The vouchers can be spent by eligible parents in supermarkets and amount to £15 per child, for the week," said a spokesperson.

Alison Woodward, Head of Riverside School in Tadcaster, said the additional funding through the holiday periods had made a huge difference to families.

“The voucher scheme we have opted to use within our Trust was particularly useful as it has enabled our families to balance out their budgets and make independent choices – this is really important as some families feel that they have little control over the current situation,” she said.

The spokesperson said any families not eligible for Free School Meals who were struggling financially could apply to the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund, which made emergency awards for food or utility vouchers. For more information,go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/nylaf.