THURROCK Council has helped deliver a boost for struggling families as half term approaches.

The council is to continue to help vulnerable households across the borough thanks to an additional £1.295 million government funding for the Household Support Fund which will be distributed between now and March 2023

The funding will be used to provide essential support to households most in need including £600,000 allocated to provide free school meals for five weeks during upcoming school holidays and £650,000 to provide help for households in financial hardship through the Essential Living Fund, which includes help with utility bills. On top of that additional help will be provided for care leavers.

Cllr Barry Johnson, Cabinet member for Children and Education, said: "The first two rounds of government funding have ensured that free school meals have been provided during school holidays for the last five school holidays. Thanks to this fund these meals will be provided for the next three, including Christmas.

"We will also be able to help households in real financial hardship that need help with the essentials, including utility bills."

To find out more about the Essential Living Fund visit: thurrock.gov.uk/essential-living-fund/about-essential-living-fund