See answers to previous information requests

I am investigating the impact of school holidays on children’s health and behavioural outcomes. As part of this research, we are seeking information on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to better understand its reach and implementation across local authorities in England. Please can you provide, at the local authority level and by year, data for the period 2018–2025 (or for as many years within this range as possible) on the following points:

1. How much of the allocated HAF funding local authorities have spent each year
2022
• Administration Expenditure - £38,522
• Capital Expenditure - £3143
• Programme expenditure - £233,140
• Other Expenditure - £31,435
• Total - £306,240
2023
• Administration Expenditure - £50,183
• Capital Expenditure - £2969
• Programme expenditure - £217,887
• Other Expenditure £34,744
• Total £306,730
2024
• Administration Expenditure £82,681
• Capital Expenditure - £2315
• Programme expenditure - £218,697
• Other Expenditure - £7,196
• Total £310,889
2025/2026
• Our end of year statement hasn’t been signed off yet.

2. The overall number of unique children who participated in the programme in each year
We only have this information per programme not per year. Some of the same children/yp will participate at Easter/Summer/Christmas.
Easter 22 x319 Summer 22 x770 Christmas 22 x481
Easter 23 x479 Summer 23 x991 Christmas 23 x545
Easter 24 x518 Summer 24 x609 Christmas 24 x527
Easter 25 x383; Summer 25 x625; Christmas 25 x412

3. The overall number of unique children in receipt of FSMs who participated in the programme in each year
Per programme:
Easter 22 x269 Summer 22 x657 Christmas 22 x401
Easter 23 x377 Summer 23 x725 Christmas 23 x504
Easter 24 x436 Summer 24 x556 Christmas 24 x435
Easter 25 x360; Summer 25 x589; Christmas 25 x391

4. The number of children with SEND or additional needs who have participated in the programme in each year
Per programme:
Easter 22 x47 Summer 22 x139 Christmas 22 x129
Easter 23 x95 Summer 23 x223 Christmas 23 x156
Easter 24 x139 Summer 24 x210 Christmas 24 x148
Easter 25 x148; Summer 25 x241; Christmas 25 x165

5. The number and proportion of children who are in the primary school age range, the secondary school age range, and any children outside of those age ranges who attended the programme in each year
Per programme:
Easter Primary 22 x280, Easter Secondary 22 x39
Summer Primary 22 x675 Summer Secondary 22 x95
Christmas Primary 22 x371 Christmas Secondary 22 x110
Easter Primary 23 x407, Easter Secondary 23 x72
Summer Primary 23 x853 Summer Secondary 23 x138
Christmas Primary 23 x451 Christmas Secondary 23 x94
Easter Primary 24 x459, Easter Secondary 24 x59
Summer Primary 24 x528 Summer Secondary 24 x81
Christmas Primary 24 x457 Christmas Secondary 24 x70
Easter Primary 25 x321, Easter Secondary 25 x62
Summer Primary 25 x535 Summer Secondary 25 x90
Christmas Primary 25 x306 Christmas Secondary 25 x106

6. How the allocated 6 weeks of HAF are divided between the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays in each year
1 week at Easter, 4 weeks in summer, 1 week at Christmas

7. length of sessions offered in each year.
Mixture depending on the activity e.g. 4.5 hours (SEND Specialist Provision), 6 hours (Primary drop-off provisions), 3 hours (HAF Events, SEND Stay and Play), 3-4 hours (Secondary Clubs), 1 hour (Swimming and Leisure; Library activities)