Dame Caroline Dinenage is pushing for continued funding for a programme for children living below the poverty line.

Dame Caroline, MP for Gosport, has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, about the importance of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

The programme supports 21 per cent of children in Gosport.

The HAF grant, given to Hampshire County Council, partly funds Gosport Borough Council’s summer passport scheme, which has been running since 2008 and provides free activities for children during the summer holidays.

The HAF funding also supports GlobeFit at Newtown Primary School and Y Services for Young People.

However, the government has not committed to funding past the financial year 2024/25.

A response to a question from Labour MP for Walsall and Bloxwich, Valerie Vaz, stated: "The department’s budgets for 2025/26 will be confirmed in due course, including the exact funding available for this type of support for children, young people, and families during the holidays."

Alongside sending the letter, Caroline said: "Every year I see the fantastic opportunities offered to young people in Gosport, Lee on Solent, Stubbington, and Hill Head by the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

"With the school Easter holidays approaching quickly it's imperative that Councils and staff are given certainty over funding streams so that parents and children know what support is available."

Currently, funding is secured until March 2025.

Dame Caroline's letter emphasises the importance of the HAF programme for providing support to vulnerable children throughout the year, as well as the need for continued financial backing to maintain these services.