A scheme providing school holiday activities and healthy meals to Stoke-on-Trent children will continue for at least one more year, following the award of £1.5 million of government funding. 

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been running nationally since 2021, offering free activities to youngsters from low-income families during the school holidays, with Stoke-on-Trent's scheme being operated by the Hubb Foundation.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has now been told by the Department for Education that it will receive around £1.58 million to continue its scheme for another 12 months. The indicative allocation, which may be subject to change, is in line with previous years' funding.

HAF was initially launched in response to a campaign for disadvantaged children led by Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford.

The government's three-year commitment to supporting the HAF programme was due to end on March 31 this year. 

But last month the DfE announced that more than £200m would be provided to councils to keep HAF going for another year.

The city council's current contract with the Hubb Foundation was due to end on February 28, but it will now be extended. 

But the future of the HAF programme beyond 2025/26 is uncertain, with the government set to make a decision as part of the spending review later this year.

Cabinet members at the city council will formally approve the use of the DfE funding to extend the scheme when they meet on Tuesday.

Cllr Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children's services, said: "HAF is a really important programme and I'm really pleased to have it in Stoke-on-Trent.

"I went to some of the things that were taking place over the summer and it's just a great opportunity for kids to take part in activities while also getting a hot meal. Obviously I hope that the funding for HAF will continue in future years."

The report to cabinet says that if the government funding is not provided, 'a HAF programme would not be provided in 2025/26'.

Nationally the HAF programme is aimed primarily at providing free activities and meals during the holidays to children who receive free school meals.

But the city council says that its 'unique partnership with the Hubb Foundation means more children are able to access activities in Stoke-on-Trent.

According to the 2023 Stoke-on-Trent HAF annual report, the programme provided 1,212 sessions during Easter, summer and Christmas, reaching 85 per cent of children receiving benefits-related free school meals.

The report said schools had seen a 'notable improvement' in attendance for a number of pupils who took part in the scheme.

Last summer's programme took place at schools and community venues, and included physical activities, arts and crafts and science-themed sessions.