'When you campaigned for a change in government this was not what you were expecting'

Tens of thousands of pounds have been cut from a fund that provides activities for kids from deprived families over the holidays. The Holidays, Activity and Fun (HAF) summer programme gives children on free school meals “fun and enriching” activities – and a meal – for at least four hours a day, four days a week. Bolton Council, in this year’s budget for the Household Support Fund, £150k was assigned to the HAF – a cut of £20k from last year.

The Government gave the borough a total of £656,000 less in funding this year for the Household Support Fund. Cllr John Walsh, speaking at the cabinet meeting on Monday, April 7 said that the cut “totally flies in the face” of the government’s rhetoric. He said: “Since July, we’ve heard nothing other than a Government wanting to help hard-working families – and we’ve heard exactly the same from the executive this afternoon.



“When I hear about a Government that is supporting hard-working families and read a report like this – it totally flies in the face of the rhetoric we’ve heard for the last six and a half months.” Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.

co.uk Cllr Martyn Cox agreed and said: “I’m sure when you were campaigning last July for a change in government this was not really the change you were expecting. “You’ve had a significant cut in the household support fund and now the money in that fund has to go to try and compensate pensioners who’ve had their winter fuel allowance cut.

“So you’re getting less money and you’re having to use it to fund things pensioners were paid prior to the election.” Bolton Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said that the current formula for funding councils had been taken over from the previous Government. READ MORE: CPS updates Bolton Council on £900K 'fraud' investigation READ MORE: Local elections 2025: Guide to every council and mayoral contest READ MORE: Bolton Council rejects Horrocks Fold village green application He said: “Any criticism on that is criticism of the previous Government’s policy and I completely agree with you.

” The council estimates that around 10,000 children and young people will benefit from the HAF programme. They said that it will also help families to reduce their energy costs by providing spaces where they can stay warm and take part in activities..