Some £360,000 is set to be ploughed into extending free school meal vouchers across Harborough and throughout Leicestershire over Christmas

Some £360,000 is set to be ploughed into extending free school meal vouchers across Harborough and throughout Leicestershire over Christmas.

And up to £1 million will be spent helping to feed over 12,000 youngsters until April, Leicestershire County Council has said.

The local authority is poised to act to support families facing financial difficulties amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Plans are now being drawn up to deliver the vital vouchers ahead of the festive period.

The council had already committed to funding the extension.

But it’s now able to use its share of the £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme announced by the Government.

Cllr Nick Rushton, who leads the county council, said: “Children should not go hungry.

“And I’m pleased we stepped up to the plate quickly.

“I welcome the announcement from Government that they will support local authorities, such as ourselves, with the new grant scheme.

“We’ve had to make a lot of tough choices recently and this helps to ease the pressure a little bit.”

He added: “Unemployment is rising and the pandemic is making life extremely hard for many people.

“This is a case of doing the right thing and we’re committed to supporting the county through these trying times.”

The scheme will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on Friday November 20 and if approved will be triggered ahead of the end of term in December.

You can watch the cabinet meeting online here: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/webcast

After looking at options and speaking to headteachers, the council is planning to bring in an e-voucher scheme.

This is similar to the one used by the Government over the summer and is familiar to schools and parents.

There are at least 12,000 pupils across Leicestershire eligible for free school meals.