Reading Borough Council (RBC) and partners will provide support to families who need help accessing regular meals for children within the borough during half term.

Families in difficulty who need help to provide regular meals for their children should call the One Reading Community Hub on 0808 1894325 from today  Monday, October 26.

The hub will work with Brighter Futures for Children, the council’s children’s services provider, to help families in need across the borough to access organisations who can provide support.

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This includes an offer from the University of Reading to provide hot meals to children from Tuesday, with other options being available as most appropriate to circumstances.

Councillor Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Children, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the government this week did not respond to calls to extend free school meals over half term for those children that need them.

“Families are under severe pressure due to the Covid pandemic and they desperately need the government to continue with the scheme they put in place in the summer.

“We cannot countenance children going hungry across Reading this half term.

“The council is working with partners across the community to ensure that parents in need can access support and put food on their children’s plates.”

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By directing people through the hub, the council says it is able to assess the needs of each family and ensure the right level of support is provided, whether that is direct access to food or a holistic package of advice including information about welfare rights, benefits and childcare services.

Labour's motion to extend free school meals over school holidays was voted against by 322 votes to 261 in parliament on October 21.