Overview

• The Department for Education confirmed a three-year extension worth £600 million, taking the HAF scheme to at least March 2029.
• Funding is routed to local authorities to deliver holiday childcare, enrichment activities and free meals for children eligible for free school meals.
• Local government leaders welcomed the commitment, citing benefits for nutrition, physical activity, wellbeing and service continuity.
• Ministers urged eligible parents to take up the 30 hours of government-funded early education as the full rollout begins next week.
• The department highlighted potential family savings from HAF, including a claim of more than £800 a year for working families, alongside a separate £300 figure reported previously.