Key Points
- Bolton Council’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme provides free meals, sports, and childcare across local communities using a fleet of six mobile vans.
- Government funding for HAF totals £600 million across three years, with Department for Education figures showing average annual savings of up to £300 per child for participating families.
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Paul Waugh, MP Kirith Entwistle, and Cllr Rabiya Jiva joined Urban Outreach co-founder David Bagley at Queen's Park to highlight the scheme's impact.
Bolton (Bolton Today) August 8, 2026 – Families across Bolton are receiving vital support through free meals, outdoor activities, and childcare this summer as part of the government’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme.
What is the Bolton HAF programme offering to local families?
As reported by Grace Williams of The Bolton News, the government-funded initiative aims to relieve financial stress on low-income households during school holidays. Bolton Council operates a fleet of six mobile vans to deliver services directly into deprived neighbourhoods. During a site visit to Queen’s Park, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education Paul Waugh observed children receiving free packed lunches and participating in cookery workshops led by David Bagley, co-founder of local charity Urban Outreach.
Explore More Bolton Council News
Bolton Council Approves Grundy Fold Farm Plans: Bolton 2026
Bolton Council Clears Suspected HMO Investigation in Breightmet 2026
How are government officials responding to holiday childcare costs?
As detailed by Grace Williams of The Bolton News, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Paul Waugh emphasized that early childhood support remains a core priority. Waugh stated:
"Giving every child the best start in life is a big programme of ours as a government. It encapsulates everything from family hubs, making sure we've got children and communities getting the best start in education, but also learning about sociability and engaging with each other."
He added that the scheme aims to build friendships while easing cost-of-living pressures for parents.
According to Department for Education (DfE) figures cited in The Bolton News, over 500,000 children benefited from HAF nationally last summer. The scheme saves families up to £300 per child annually, supported by a £600 million government investment over three years. DfE data indicates 92 per cent of participating parents experienced reduced financial anxiety during holidays, while 90 per cent reported increased confidence in their children.
How do local charities and leaders support the initiative?
Speaking to Grace Williams of The Bolton News, Urban Outreach co-founder David Bagley noted his organization's long-standing involvement, having delivered holiday lunch bag initiatives in Bolton for 15 years prior to HAF. Bagley highlighted the social value of shared food, asking:
"Why would we not choose to invest in our children? Why would we not choose to stand by families and want every child to have a really great summer and a story to tell when they go back to school?"
Local representatives also underlined the necessity of holiday provision. As reported by Grace Williams of The Bolton News, Bolton MP Kirith Entwistle described HAF as a vital resource that prevents support from dropping off outside term time, enabling "families just to be families again." Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Rabiya Jiva, stated:
"The council is determined to support all children to get the best possible start in life and this scheme aims to relieve some of the burden that families are facing."
Parents can access further details via the council's dedicated portal at bolton.gov.uk/HAF.