Families in Northern Ireland are being forced to make impossible choices about what to feed their children during school holidays due to the skyrocketing cost of food. While parents and campaigners cry out for help, a vital support system remains non-existent – unlike elsewhere in the UK.
Susan Lilley, a single mother of two from County Down, has spoken out about her weekly struggles to afford nutritious meals for her children. 'I've had to tell my daughter to choose between strawberries or nothing,' she revealed, highlighting the cruel trade-off facing many families. Lilley, who is training to be a classroom assistant, feels the pinch acutely – without the financial support that was in place during the Covid-19 pandemic, she sometimes finds herself opting for cheaper, processed foods despite her concerns about their impact on her children's health.
Between 2020 and 2023, nearly 90,000 children in Northern Ireland eligible for free school meals received £27 every fortnight to help feed them during the holidays. However, these payments were abruptly axed by the Department of Education in March this year due to a lack of funds – according to the then permanent secretary, Dr Mark Browne, it was one of his toughest decisions.
A new bill has been tabled at Stormont by Sinn Féin's Danny Baker, calling for reinstatement of financial support in lieu of free school meals during holidays. If passed, the scheme would require an estimated £20 million annually – but Education Minister Paul Givan is hesitant, warning that his department wouldn't have the budget to fund it without slashing other essential education areas.
Organisations like the Atlas Women's Centre in Lisburn are already feeling the strain, with more women than ever before seeking support due to financial difficulties. Lauren Entwhistle, a mother of two who now works at the centre after benefiting from its services herself, highlighted the devastating impact that daily financial worries can have on mental health – and the urgent need for action.
Currently, children are eligible for free school meals if their family's income is below £15,390 per year. Proponents of the bill argue that ensuring access to healthy food is crucial for children's development – but with no dedicated support system in place, many families are being forced to get by on inadequate rations.