Latest news with #HAF
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
BH Live launches holiday camps at Bournemouth sports centre
BH Live has launched holiday camps at the Sir David English Sports Centre, Bournemouth. The initiative, supported by BCP Council's Holiday Activities and Food Programme Funding (HAF), aims to get more young people active during school holidays. The camps provide engaging activities and healthy meals for children aged five to 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. This year, more than 300 funded spaces were created for young people, thanks to continued funding and BH Live's expansion efforts. The holiday camps, delivered by BH Live Active instructors, feature activities including sports and crafts. Morning, afternoon and full-day camps are available. Bobby Cole, group swim and junior activities manager at BH Live, said: "We're incredibly proud to have launched our HAF-funded holiday camps at Sir David English Sports Centre, reaching more families than ever before. "It's a vital initiative and one we're committed to growing year on year." Councillor Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "The HAF funding continues to be a vital source of support for families across our community, particularly for children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. "It's a great example of how targeted investment can make a real difference in people's lives."
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Minister visits Middlesbrough to discuss tackling child poverty
A government minister has said tackling child poverty is a "huge challenge" while visiting one of the country's most deprived Minister Catherine McKinnell visited a gymnastics academy in Middlesbrough, which offers free places to children from low-income families through the government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) has some of the poorest areas in the country, including its Newport ward where 85% of children live in poverty, according to data published by the Department of Work and said the government was "absolutely determined" to ensure where youngsters came from did not determine what they could achieve in life. "We are trying to break down the barriers for opportunity that some of these children might face otherwise," she said."But I recognise there is a huge challenge."It is worrying that child poverty has been going up and up, which is totally unacceptable and needs to be turned around." The Labour MP for Newcastle North made her comments at the Teesside Academy of Gymnastics, on Newport South Business Park, during a class for about 40 who took part were able to access healthy food and snacks, through the HAF version of the scheme, called Bring it on Boro, has offered 27,000 places via 50 different providers during July and August. It is available for those who receive free school meals, aged between five and 16. McKinnell said the children told her how the HAF programme taught them new skills and helped them to make friends. "Not only does it give parents a chance to work, it really boosts the children's outcomes as well," she said. Middlesbrough Council recently extended the scheme into half-term holidays using its own town's mayor, Chris Cooke, previously described the child poverty statistics in central Middlesbrough as "dire", according to the Local Democracy Reporting said Bring it on Boro's sessions kept children active and the academy had produced "brilliant gymnasts"."It's an inspiring place and HAF opens the doors to kids who wouldn't normally come here - they'll definitely want to come back," he said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
20 Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in August worth more than £17,000
Plus, we reveal one scheme which could see support worth £500 land in your bank account BENEFIT BOOST 20 Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in August worth more than £17,000 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit are missing out on thousands of pounds' worth of extra support – from free food to savings bonuses and council tax discounts. With food inflation still stubbornly high, energy prices creeping up again, and back-to-school costs around the corner, August is a crucial month to check what help is available. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We share all the freebies and discounts for those on Universal Credit Credit: Alamy If you're on Universal Credit or a similarly low income, you could be missing out on vital financial support, and many of these schemes don't need to be paid back. Here's a detailed breakdown of the help on offer this August, who's eligible, how much you might get, and how to claim. If you're eligible for all 20, you may be able to save more than £17,000 over 12 months. 1. Household Support Fund – Savings: up to £500 The Household Support Fund runs until March 2026 and gives emergency cash or voucher support to households struggling with essentials like food, energy, and white goods. Payouts and eligibility vary by local authority. For example: Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families. Apply at Doncaster pays between £100 and £300 to families on UC. See Ribble Valley gives food vouchers worth £200–£500 to households earning under £35,000. Visit How to apply: Go to your council's website and search for 'Household Support Fund' – the easiest way is to Google your council name plus the phrase. 2. Free holiday food and activities – worth hundreds If your child gets free school meals, you can usually access the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, run in partnership with councils and funded by the government. Activities include football camps, arts, drama and free meals. In many areas, bookings are open now for August sessions: Leeds offers HAF places including hot meals and sports activities: Hampshire includes cookery clubs, forest schools and free meals: In Scotland, parents receive direct holiday payments instead of food provision. For example: Glasgow pays £135 for summer holidays per eligible child: Wales and Northern Ireland also run holiday support schemes via schools and councils – check with your local authority. Five key changes to PIP & Universal Credit as Labour's benefits crackdown unveiled 3. Warm Home Discount – Savings: £150 credit Eligible low-income households can get £150 off electricity bills automatically between October and March. You usually don't need to apply – energy suppliers apply the discount directly if you qualify. If you're on UC and meet your supplier's rules (especially if your home is classed as "energy inefficient"), the discount will appear as a credit on your bill. Check eligibility at 4. Discounted broadband and mobile – Savings: save up to £196.68 Social tariffs offer cheap broadband to people on benefits. Some of the cheapest include: Virgin Media Essentials: £12.50/month – save £137.88/year vs regular Virgin package. BT Home Essentials: £15/month for fibre + calls. Voxi for Now: £10/month for unlimited mobile data for six months – saving £150 vs regular deal. According to Uswitch, the average broadband bill in the UK is £26.39/month – switching to the cheapest social tariff could save you £196.68 per year. Compare all social tariffs at 5. Free school meals – Savings: save up to £503.50 per child per year If your child is at school and you claim Universal Credit, they may qualify for free school meals during term time. To be eligible in England, your household income (excluding benefits) must be under £7,400 a year. This limit also applies in Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, all children in primary years 1 to 5 get free school meals regardless of income, and older pupils may also qualify based on UC claims. The Food Foundation says the average cost of a school lunch is £2.65. Over 190 school days, that amounts to a potential saving of around £503.50 per child per year. Check eligibility and apply at 6. Council tax reduction – Savings: save up to £2,280 If you receive Universal Credit, you can apply for a council tax reduction of up to 100%. Every local authority sets its own rules, but many reduce council tax significantly for low-income households. If you live alone, you can also get a single person discount of 25%. For example: In Manchester, households on UC can get up to 100% off their council tax. Apply at Bristol offers up to 90% for most working-age households on benefits. More info at The average Band D council tax in England for 2025-26 is now £2,280, so a full reduction is worth that amount annually. 7. Help with water bills – Savings: save hundreds off your annual bill Water companies offer social tariffs or capped rates for those on UC and similar benefits. These schemes vary by supplier. For example: Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50/year for eligible households. See United Utilities offers up to 50% off for households with high usage or medical needs. More at According to Discover Water, the average water bill in England and Wales has risen to £603 in 2025. Switching to a capped or social tariff could save you hundreds of pounds depending on your supplier and usage. 8. Energy grants – Savings: up to £1,500 Several energy suppliers offer grants to help customers on low incomes clear energy debts or cover bills. For example: British Gas Energy Trust offers grants up to £1,500 even if you're not a British Gas customer. Apply at Next Energy Fund provides help with white goods and bill support. Visit You'll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings, and explain your situation. These grants don't need to be repaid. 9. Free prescriptions and dental care – Savings: variable savings Universal Credit claimants may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with health costs. You'll qualify if: You're single and earn under £435/month Or your household earns under £935/month and gets the child element of UC or has limited capability for work These savings can quickly add up: NHS prescriptions in England cost £9.90 each A standard NHS dental check-up is £25.80 10. Help to Save – Earn up to £300 a year This government-backed savings account is designed to encourage low-income households to build a financial cushion. If you're on Universal Credit and meet the eligibility requirements, you can open a Help to Save account and get a 50% bonus on savings. You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and at the end of two years, you'll receive a bonus worth half of the highest balance you've saved. You can continue saving for up to four years, earning a maximum total bonus of £1,200 if you save the full amount every month. Payments can be stopped and restarted without penalty You can withdraw money if needed, but it may reduce your bonus Apply at 11. School uniform grants – Savings: up to £200 Buying new uniforms can be a major back-to-school expense. Fortunately, some local authorities offer school uniform grants to help cover the cost. These grants are often available if your child is eligible for free school meals and you're on Universal Credit. Examples include: City of London: £160 for secondary school pupils. Apply at Sefton Council: £45 for primary and £70 for secondary. See Wales: The Pupil Development Grant offers £200 to eligible families. More info at Grants are often paid as vouchers, bank transfers, or reimbursements. Deadlines and application processes vary, so check with your local authority. 12. Free or discounted travel – Savings: up to 50% off Help with travel costs is available in several forms if you're on Universal Credit and looking for work or studying: Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card: Offers up to 50% off rail fares. Available to jobseekers who have been claiming UC or JSA for at least 13 weeks (or longer depending on age). More info at 16–17 Saver Card: Reduces fares by 50% for young people. Apply at Student Oyster Photocard: Offers 30% off travelcards and bus passes in London. See Note: Eligibility criteria and application processes vary by scheme. Some discounts depend on your age or how long you've been claiming UC. Some councils also offer additional support, for example, Derbyshire County Council provides bus travel support through its Wheels to Work scheme. 13. Flexible Support Fund – Savings: no official cap Administered by your Jobcentre, this discretionary fund can help cover work-related expenses to support you into employment. Unlike Universal Credit, this isn't a fixed payment and is granted based on individual need. You might be able to get: Up to £150 for tools, uniforms, or work clothing Travel costs to interviews or training Short-term childcare support For example, one claimant in Leeds received £120 to cover train tickets for job interviews. To apply, speak directly to your work coach, who can authorise support. 14. Maternity grants – Savings: £500 per child The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off tax-free payment to help with the cost of a new baby. You don't have to repay it, and it won't affect other benefits. You'll get £500 if: It's your first child You're expecting twins or more, and already have children Applications open from 11 weeks before the due date until 6 months after birth. You must be on Universal Credit and not already receiving other maternity payments. Download the SF100 form at and send it by post. 15. Healthy Start vouchers – Savings: up to £442/year Eligible parents can receive prepaid cards that are topped up every four weeks, helping you buy healthy foods and milk. It's designed for pregnant women and parents of children under four. £4.25/week if pregnant (from week 10) £8.50/week for children under 1 £4.25/week for kids aged 1–4 In a child's first year, this adds up to £442, and about £221 per year after that. You're eligible if you're on Universal Credit with earnings below £408/month. Apply online at 16. Funeral expenses payment – Savings: up to £1,000 If you're arranging a funeral and receive UC, you might qualify for this payment to cover necessary costs. This payment is usually made to the funeral director. You can get up to £1,000 for: Flowers Funeral director's fees Travel costs Burial or cremation fees may also be covered separately. Payments depend on your relationship with the deceased and other contributions (e.g. from insurance). Find out more at 17. Legal aid – Savings: varies by case Legal aid can cover the cost of advice or representation for those facing serious legal issues. If you're on Universal Credit, you may qualify if your case meets the criteria. Support is available for: Domestic violence and child protection Housing or eviction cases Discrimination Immigration or asylum matters You may have to contribute towards costs depending on your income or assets. Check eligibility at 18. Childcare support – Savings: up to £1,769/month If you're working at least 16 hours/week and on UC, you can claim back 85% of childcare costs: £1,031.88 for one child £1,768.94 for two or more children The money is paid after you've submitted evidence of payment each month. There are often delays, so it's important to budget carefully or ask providers if they'll accept delayed payment. Apply through your UC account at 19. Free childcare hours (England only) – Savings: up to £7,500 From September 2024, parents of 2-year-olds in working families can access 15 free hours of childcare per week. From September 2025, this extends to 30 hours for children from nine months old. To be eligible: Both parents must be working (or one, in single-parent households) You must earn at least £183/week and under £100,000/year The Government says this will save families an average of £7,500 a year. More details at 20. Discounted glasses and eye tests – Savings: up to £233.56 NHS optical support includes: Free eye tests every two years Vouchers for glasses or lenses worth between £42.40 and £233.56 depending on your prescription Some opticians apply the discount automatically if you show your UC award letter. Check the NHS guide at
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
How you can claim up to £20K a year to help with kids during summer holidays
Do you know the Government will pay £2 for every £8 you spend on childcare HOLIDAY HELP How you can claim up to £20K a year to help with kids during summer holidays HAVING kids is expensive – and the financial pain only gets harder in the summer holidays. Summer clubs cost an average £1,075 for the six-week break, according to Coram's Holiday Childcare Report, so it's vital you claim all available support. Anna Stevenson, benefits specialist at Turn2Us, says: 'There are a lot of schemes to navigate and often people don't know where to start, but there is help there when you know where to look.' Mel Hunter considers what help you can apply for — and it's worth up to £20,247 a year. FREE CHILDCARE PLACES - up to £7,500 a year ALL families in England are entitled to 15 hours' free childcare a week for three and four-year-olds. Working families can also access some free childcare hours from when their children are nine months old. From September, eligible parents will be able to get 30 hours' free childcare a week from nine months until school age — but you need to apply by August 31. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have alternative schemes, so it's worth checking what applies for you. HOLIDAY ACTIVITY FUND - £720 THE Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme gives children from lower income families access to holiday activities, including a free meal. It is mainly for primary school children who receive free school meals. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence However, some councils keep places for other children considered in need. Anna says: 'Schemes like this, which are administered by the local authority, can go under the radar.' TAX-FREE CHILDCARE - up to £4,000 a year THE Government will pay £2 for every £8 you spend on childcare, capped at £2,000 per year per child (or £4,000 for a child with a disability). But around 825,000 of the 1.3million families who are eligible do not claim it. Anna says: 'People don't always realise that they can get help covering the cost of childcare once their kids are out of nursery, when they may be using after-school or holiday clubs.' CHILD BENEFIT - £1,355 a year THIS is paid to anyone with a child under 16, or under 20 if they are still in education. It is worth £1,354.60 per year for a family with one child and £2,251.60 per year for a family with two. It seems a no-brainer, but around £1.6billion in child benefit goes unclaimed each year. With child benefit, there is no cap so you can claim for as many children as you have. The level at which you are entitled to the full amount changed last year. Now you can get it if no one in your household earns more than £60,000, up from £50,000. If you earn between £60,000 and £80,000, you are entitled to some of it. If you earn more than £80,000, you are not entitled to any. It is still worth filling in the claim form, even if you do not want to get payments, to get National Insurance credits which count towards the state pension. UNIVERSAL CREDIT - £5,772 a year UNIVERSAL credit is the main benefit that can be claimed by families on a lower income, but the 1.4million households that don't claim could be missing out on an average of £5,772. You cannot get universal credit if you or a partner you live with have more than £16,000 in savings. But you may still be able to get it if you work. Mandy Jackson, a rights adviser with the charity Working Families, says: 'Anyone with a child should check if they are eligible.' SURE START MATERNITY GRANT - £500 THIS is a one-off payment of £500 to help with the costs of having a newborn in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can apply if you have no other children under 16 and you or your partner get certain benefits. If you live in Scotland, you can apply for a Best Start grant, worth up to £767.50. Designed to support families with young kids, it comes in three payments. FREE BREAKFAST CLUBS - up to £450 a year FREE breakfast clubs are being rolled out in primary schools across England. These give kids an extra 30-minute session before school where they get a free breakfast. If you are eligible for these you may be able to get help from your local authority during the summer holidays. Check to find out. My nursery costs are cut by £1,440 3 Sam Kennedy Christian is a coach who helps parents juggle work and childcare Credit: Suppleid MUM-of-two Sam Kennedy Christian is a coach who helps parents juggle work and childcare. Sam, 39, uses the tax-free childcare scheme and finds it very helpful. She explains: 'I started using it when [my daughter] Rose, who's now seven, started at nursery – and over the years it has saved us a fortune.' Currently, it cuts nursery fees for her son James, two, to £480 a month instead of £600 – saving £1,440 a year. The family has been getting 15 hours' free childcare for James each week, but that will rise to 30 hours in September. That will cut their bill by a further £240 a month. Sam, from Herne Bay, Kent, says: 'It's a lot to get your head around, but it's so worth it.' It can also be a godsend for clubs in the school holidays for Rose, Sam adds. With the average cost around £30 a day where Sam lives, she ends up paying £24 herself, with the rest covered by the govern-ment payment. Sam says: 'Saving £6 a day is very helpful. Over the summer, it will save us £60.' PENSIONS ARE TAX TARGET 3 Pensions will become subject to Inheritance Tax from April 6, 2027 Credit: Getty GRIEVING families will soon find the process of sorting out a loved one's finances much harder following a huge change to Inheritance Tax. The government has confirmed that pensions will become subject to Inheritance Tax from April 6, 2027. Currently, money left in your pension after you pass away can be passed on to a loved one without any need for them to pay Inheritance Tax. The Inheritance Tax rate is 40 per cent, and is charged on the estate – the property, possessions and money, of someone who has died – if it is worth more than £325,000. A loophole means many wealthy pensioners are using pensions as a way to pass down most of their money because they are so tax-efficient. The changes mean that this loophole will close – but experts have warned that it will pile pressure on grieving families. Inheritance Tax needs to be paid within six months, and usually before you can apply for probate. But tracking down pensions takes time, delaying the process of applying for probate. Probate is the legal process of dealing with a person's death, and it can take months to get it granted. Former pensions minister Steve Webb said: 'Life is tough enough when you have just lost a loved one without having extra layers of bureaucracy on top. 'It is hard to see how these changes will be good news for bereaved families.' ADELE COOKE STARLING ACCOUNT UPSET 3 Starling bank will no longer let its users open a second current account Credit: Reuters ONLINE bank Starling has shaken up its current accounts, causing a big stir among customers who are desperate for the change to be reversed. The bank, which has more than 4.6million UK customers, will no longer let its users open a second current account. Starling previously let customers open an extra everyday bank account, free of charge. Savers raved about the perk because it was a great way for them to manage their money. But the digital bank has told The Sun it has temporarily stopped allowing customers to open additional accounts while it 'improves our account offering'. It quietly suspended additional accounts last year, and clients have been calling on the bank to bring back the feature. One customer posted to X this week: '@StarlingBank when will additional accounts be back? I had one and would like to enable it again.' Another posted in January asking: 'Can I create a second personal account in @StarlingBank?' One customer said on Reddit: 'I'm sure it used to be a thing when I first started with Starling, but now I get 'you've reached your personal account limit' with one account, and 'you're not currently able to apply for this account' when I go to open a Personal Additional.' Starling said: 'Customers are still able to apply for a joint account, provided both are Starling customers. 'Joint accounts are limited to one per customer.' BLATHNAID CORLESS
Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Why US court rejected Hindu group's claims that caste discrimination cases violate religious freedom
The decision of a US federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging California state's authority to prosecute caste discrimination cases has been welcomed by civil rights groups. US District Judge Dale Drozd of the Eastern District of California on July 18 rejected arguments from a Hindu advocacy group that enforcing such cases violates religious freedom. He said that the Hindu American Foundation, a non-profit that says it advocates for Hindus in the United States, lacked standing to challenge the California Civil Rights Department's high-profile lawsuit against the technology conglomerate Cisco Systems, which alleges workplace caste discrimination against a Dalit engineer. 'This is a historic win,' said Karthikeyan Shanmugam of the Ambedkar King Study Circle, which has collected numerous testimonies showing how caste consciousness and discrimination are manifested in the Indian diaspora. 'It affirms that caste discrimination is a civil rights violation and cannot be shielded by claims of religious freedom,' Shanmugam said. Roja Singh, President of Dalit Solidarity Forum, said that 'the decades-long campaign of caste-based oppression in the US is finally being confronted'. Singh added: 'This ruling by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California affirms that caste discrimination violates civil rights and cannot be ignored. It marks a critical step toward ensuring that caste-oppressed communities can live and work with safety, dignity, and equality.' Paradoxical position The judge rejected the HAF's claim that the state's anti-caste enforcement violated their religious freedom, noting that the foundation simultaneously argued that caste discrimination is not an integral part of Hindu beliefs. 'Plaintiffs cannot persuasively maintain that there 'exists some conflict between one of [their] religious convictions and a challenged governmental action' precisely because they contend that caste discrimination is not one of their religious convictions,' the ruling noted. The judge described it a 'standing conundrum,' asking, 'How can appellants be injured by a policy prohibiting conduct that they have no intention to engage in?' The court also questioned the HAF's claim to represent Hindu Americans across the country. While the foundation pointed to 815 donors and 5,000 subscribers to its advocacy platform as evidence of its support base, the judge stated the organisation was trying to represent 'a community significantly larger and more diffuse than those found appropriate' for bringing such a lawsuit. The HAF's legal challenge centres on California's 2020 lawsuit against Cisco Systems, when it allegedly failed to protect a Dalit employee from harassment by his Brahmin colleagues. The lawsuit claimed the engineer 'was expected to accept a caste hierarchy within the workplace where he held the lowest status within a team of higher-caste colleagues, receiving less pay, fewer opportunities, and other inferior terms and conditions of employment'. When the engineer opposed the treatment, supervisors allegedly retaliated by reducing his role, isolating him from colleagues and assigning him tasks that were 'impossible to complete under the circumstances'. The state dropped its case against the two individual Cisco supervisors, Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella, in 2023, but continues to pursue its lawsuit against the company. Anti-caste measures The development also comes amid a growing battle over caste discrimination in American institutions, with Hindu advocacy groups mounting organised opposition to the introduction of anti-caste measures. Since the Cisco lawsuit was filed in 2020, anti-caste groups have pushed to add caste as a protected category in anti-discrimination policies across the United States. Seattle became the first city to ban caste discrimination in February 2023, while dozens of universities including Harvard and Brown have updated their policies to explicitly prohibit caste-based discrimination. However, the HAF scored a major victory in 2023 when California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have made California the first state to ban caste discrimination. The bill had passed both houses of the state legislature with overwhelming support – the Assembly voted 31-5 to approve the measure sponsored by Democratic state senator Aisha Wahab. But Newsom rejected the bill, arguing that existing anti-discrimination laws already covered caste-based discrimination. The HAF has repeatedly stated that policies against caste discrimination are unfair to Hindu Americans. On its website, the foundation states. 'California's actions blatantly violate the rights of Hindu Americans.' The organisation contended that California 'has asserted that the caste system is 'a strict Hindu social and religious hierarchy,' and therefore an integral part of Hindu teachings and practices' = a characterisation it says is false. The HAF argues this makes 'all Hindus suspect in the eyes of the general public' and 'encourages widespread discrimination against hiring or promoting of Hindus'.
