Keep Holiday Food Vouchers for Children in Need in Islington
The Issue
We call on Islington Council to reverse its decision to stop funding free school meal vouchers during the school holidays for children in need.
As a parent, carer, resident, or someone who simply cares about children, I cannot accept that a child should go hungry because school is closed.
For many children, school is more than a place to learn. It is where they receive the one reliable, nutritious meal they can count on each day. When the school gates close for the holidays, that security disappears. For families already making impossible choices between paying rent, heating their homes, or buying food, the loss of holiday food vouchers could be devastating.
This isn't about convenience. It's about survival, dignity, and giving children the basic right to eat.
Islington knows this. In 2020, the council proudly stepped in to support over 8,500 children eligible for free school meals, saying it would not stand by while families struggled during the holidays. That commitment showed compassion and leadership. Today, many families face the same pressures, if not greater ones.
The borough's own Public Health Report estimates that more than 19,000 people in Islington experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, and acknowledges that the cost-of-living crisis has increased pressure on households. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves to enjoy the holidays without wondering where their next meal is coming from.
Children cannot learn, grow, or thrive when they are hungry. Hunger affects their physical health, their mental wellbeing, and their education. It leaves lasting consequences that extend far beyond the school holidays.
We understand that budgets are under pressure. But balancing the books should never come at the expense of children's wellbeing. The cost of preventing hunger is far less than the long-term cost of poor health, poorer educational outcomes, and increased demand on public services.
We ask Islington Council to:
Reverse the decision to end holiday free school meal vouchers for children in need.
Work with government, charities, schools, and local partners to secure sustainable funding.
Put the welfare of children at the heart of every financial decision.
A borough should be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable residents.
No child chooses to grow up in poverty.
No parent wants to ask for help.
No family should face an empty fridge simply because it's the school holidays.
Please stand with Islington's children. Sign this petition and ask the council to reconsider.
Because no child should go hungry—not in Islington, not anywhere.
15
The Issue
We call on Islington Council to reverse its decision to stop funding free school meal vouchers during the school holidays for children in need.
As a parent, carer, resident, or someone who simply cares about children, I cannot accept that a child should go hungry because school is closed.
For many children, school is more than a place to learn. It is where they receive the one reliable, nutritious meal they can count on each day. When the school gates close for the holidays, that security disappears. For families already making impossible choices between paying rent, heating their homes, or buying food, the loss of holiday food vouchers could be devastating.
This isn't about convenience. It's about survival, dignity, and giving children the basic right to eat.
Islington knows this. In 2020, the council proudly stepped in to support over 8,500 children eligible for free school meals, saying it would not stand by while families struggled during the holidays. That commitment showed compassion and leadership. Today, many families face the same pressures, if not greater ones.
The borough's own Public Health Report estimates that more than 19,000 people in Islington experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, and acknowledges that the cost-of-living crisis has increased pressure on households. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves to enjoy the holidays without wondering where their next meal is coming from.
Children cannot learn, grow, or thrive when they are hungry. Hunger affects their physical health, their mental wellbeing, and their education. It leaves lasting consequences that extend far beyond the school holidays.
We understand that budgets are under pressure. But balancing the books should never come at the expense of children's wellbeing. The cost of preventing hunger is far less than the long-term cost of poor health, poorer educational outcomes, and increased demand on public services.
We ask Islington Council to:
Reverse the decision to end holiday free school meal vouchers for children in need.
Work with government, charities, schools, and local partners to secure sustainable funding.
Put the welfare of children at the heart of every financial decision.
A borough should be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable residents.
No child chooses to grow up in poverty.
No parent wants to ask for help.
No family should face an empty fridge simply because it's the school holidays.
Please stand with Islington's children. Sign this petition and ask the council to reconsider.
Because no child should go hungry—not in Islington, not anywhere.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 10 July 2026