Parents and carers of Sandwell school children will be contacted through their child’s school and will receive vouchers to go towards the cost of food for the break.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children and education said: “It’s important we continue to help families during the school holidays with these vouchers and I encourage all those families who are eligible to take up this offer.

“Times are becoming increasingly difficult financially and we hope these vouchers will help parents and carers towards food costs during the holiday.”

Eligible families will receive a voucher for £90 per child for the six-week school holiday which starts on Friday 22 July. This will help around 18,500 children.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, added: “We feel it’s right to issue these vouchers again to make things a little easier for Sandwell families to help with the cost of a meal.

“These vouchers will help families with the additional costs of living in our community. Especially those who are being hit hardest by the cost of living crisis and are having to cope with spiralling energy prices, soaring food and living costs and fuel prices and in receipt of benefit-related free school meals.”

Once verified, vouchers will be sent to parents electronically with an alternative being offered to those parents without mobile phones or internet access.