Brilliant news for families up and down the country – the Government has confirmed a £600 million investment to extend the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for another three years.
Since its national rollout in 2021, HAF has been transforming school holidays by offering children from low income families access to free meals, fun activities, and safe spaces. The programme has already reached more than half a million children in the last year alone.
Why Holidays Need HAF
School holidays can be challenging for families, particularly those on low incomes. Research shows children from disadvantaged backgrounds are:
• Less likely to access organised out of school activities
• More likely to experience poor nutrition and reduced physical activity
• At greater risk of social isolation
HAF programmes across the country address this head on, offering a safe, structured environment where children can eat well, stay active, make friends, and learn new skills.
Since 2022, the programmes have delivered a staggering 15.6 million HAF days, including nearly 5 million during 2023 to 2024 across winter, easter, and summer breaks.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme helps parents to make savings of over £300 a year.
| “Today’s news will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of parents across England. The support provided to children from lower incomes through the Holiday Activities Fund HAF eases the pressure on family budgets during the school holidays, enhances their access to enriching and physical activities, and gives them a healthy meal each day during the school holidays. This delivers a raft of benefits for children and their families, so it is excellent news that the government is extending this provision for a further three years. Knowing that this support will continue to be available, for the next few years, will lift a weight off their shoulders.” Andrew Forsey OBE, National Director of Feeding Britain |
Check out the full Press release from the Department for Education
More Than Just Meals
The power of HAF lies in its variety and consistency. Evidence shows the programme works best when it:
✅ Combines food with enriching activities
✅ Goes beyond just meals to include fun and learning
✅ Involves children and parents in food preparation
✅ Builds on local partnerships with councils, schools, and community groups
Here in Stoke-on-Trent, The Hubb Foundation has worked alongside schools and the local authority to use HAF as a tool to support children at risk of low attendance. The results have been remarkable:
A Year 5 pupil, a recipient of free school meals and a Looked After Child, improved their attendance by 11% compared with the previous year.
Two siblings, both eligible for free school meals, were targeted to attend HAF – one reduced unauthorised absences by 23.2%, while the other improved attendance by 28.7%.
These stories show that HAF’s impact stretches far beyond the holidays – strengthening education, confidence, and community resilience.
#HAF2025 – Keep Spreading the Word
This announcement is a huge step forward, but we need to keep celebrating and sharing the difference HAF makes.
| “We are absolutely delighted by the Government’s decision to extend the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for another three years. This continued investment is a lifeline for families across Stoke-on-Trent, where we’ve seen first-hand the transformative impact HAF has on children’s lives. From improving school attendance to boosting confidence and reducing isolation, HAF is more than just meals, it’s a gateway to opportunity. Through enriching activities, nutritious food, and safe spaces, we’ve helped create happy holiday memories that raise aspirations and build brighter futures. At The Hubb Foundation, we remain committed to working with our partners to ensure every child in Stoke has the chance to thrive – not just during the holidays, but all year round.” Tom Beecham, Operations Manager |
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Featured post image: HAF Programme Extended
