More than 40 MPs and staff attended a Parliamentary briefing held by Meals & More, the charity started by Brakes to raise awareness of the need for holiday provision, as it continues its campaign to persuade the new Government to commit to ongoing funding of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF).

The event, which was attended by 42 MPs and staff including the Chair of the APPG for School Food, Sharon Hodgson MP, sought to raise awareness about the impact of holiday hunger and the work Meals & More undertakes to alleviate its effects. In addition, the MPs heard about the need to extend the scope of HAF to include all children in lower income households, not just those receiving free school meals.

Sharon Hodgson MP said: ‘It was lovely to meet with Meals & More in Parliament to call for more funding towards helping children facing food poverty.”

Peter McGrath, Operations Director for Meals & More, said: “With the new Government, we have a once in a generation opportunity to create a better future. We are determined to keep doing what we can to ensure that HAF is a part of this Government’s legacy.

“As a charity our funds are limited and we can only do so much. We need the country’s leaders to stand up for what’s right and it was reassuring to see so many MPs at the event learning more about this important subject that impacts the lives of so many young people.”

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive of Sysco GB, which sponsored the event, said: “It is difficult to imagine that more than four million children live in poverty. As one of Britain’s leading food businesses, we know the vital role food plays not only in health, but also in the community. We are pleased to be playing our part in raising awareness and trying to put an end to holiday hunger once and for all.”

The event was held following a letter that the charity wrote to the Government prior to the Autumn Budget calling for HAF programme funding to continue after the initial three-year funding settlement expires. It also wants to see the programme index-linked to inflation as well as extending the scope to include all children in households that have below average resources, not just those eligible for free school meals.