Low-income families face 'urgent crisis' as summer holidays loom and 'school safety net' ends

As schools across England and Wales prepare to close for the summer break, new research has sounded the alarm on a 'looming crisis' facing thousands of low-income families. The end of term brings with it the collapse of the 'school safety net'—leaving parents grappling with unaffordable childcare costs, rising living expenses, and impossible choices about balancing work and caring responsibilities during the six-week holiday period. The findings underscore the widening gap between the support families need and what they can realistically access when statutory provision pauses. For many households, the absence of free school meals and the sudden need for full-time childcare creates a financial shock that pushes already stretched budgets beyond breaking point, risking family wellbeing and children's security at a time when they should be enjoying a restful break. This crisis highlights the urgent need for comprehensive family support and early help strategies that extend beyond term-time provision. Local authorities and policymakers must consider how to bridge the gap between statutory education provision and holiday childcare support, ensuring vulnerable families receive timely assistance to prevent difficulties from escalating and guaranteeing that no child faces hunger or instability simply because schools have closed their doors.