Kids can Eat Free at Subway this October half term!

NEW research released from Subway® reveals 55% of UK parents and grandparents are facing financial hardship due to the Cost of living crisis; with many concerned about making ends meet this half term. Parents and grandparents are struggling to meet the costs of vital needs like food (23%) and clothes (25%), with less essential, but equally important, birthday gifts (32%) for their loved ones. A box of vegetables and a bucket Description automatically generated. A sandwich and a drink and a bottle of juice Description automatically generated.

Cut backs and conscious money choices:-

• 57% of parents and grandparents said they would cut buying meals for kids on days out to save on other outgoings. Other non-essential costs for the chop this half term will be days out (44%), entertainment:- such as toys/video games and consoles (35%) and non-educational books (15%).
  

• For those that do buy food on the high street, many will seek out eateries that they feel are more affordable; with supermarkets (66%), fast food/Quick Service Restaurants (45%) and cafes and deli's (29%) topping the list. Those choosing to spend anticipate they will pay:- £13 per child for food on days out, on average.
  

• The most important factor when deciding where to buy food on days out was, unsurprisingly, price (50%). But parents and grandparents also seek quality food (45%), and options that appealed to their kids (33%).

Subway supports parents:-

• Shockingly, 44% of parents and grandparents struggle to provide 3 meals a day for kids during half term breaks.
  

• To help support greater food security Subway will provide all guests visiting a participating store, with a child the option, to receive a free Kids Pack, when they order any Footlong Sub. This is redeemable until 5 November 2023 to guests who scan their unique Subway Rewards® code (found in the Subway App). This offer follows on from the Sub You campaign last year, which saw Subway partner with Judi Love to raise awareness of the great deals from Subway as well as its partnerships with FareShare and the CC Foundation.
  

• Kids Pack is a fun and tasty meal option that encourages youngsters to enjoy more nutritious food. Guests can choose a 4-inch Sub with a choice of filling, including:- ham, chicken, tuna, cheese or Veggie Delite® with the addition of over 8 healthy choices of vegetables and salads.
  

• Subway's Kids' Pack also comes with a Robinson's Fruit Shoot or bottle of water, a Bear Pure Fruit Yoyo and even a complimentary packet of seeds to plant at home, so little ones can plant and grow their very own Salad Squad of:- tomatoes, sweetcorn, lettuce and onions!

Sara Stanner BSc MSc RPHNutr FAfN (Science Director, British Nutrition Foundation) comments:- "Good nutrition is key for healthy growth and development of children. But we know that the Cost of living crisis is making it especially difficult for parents and carers to access the foods they need to provide a healthy diet. We need action across the food chain to help people to feed their children well and we welcome this initiative from Subway to make it easier to find healthier, affordable options for children when eating out this half term."

Kirstey Elston, Marketing Director for Subway® UK and Ireland comments:- "We want to make it easier for families to enjoy healthier and affordable meals together. So, we're really excited to be offering our 1st Kids Eat Free promotion this half term - helping families save money, without having to sacrifice on quality."

Damien Moore MP encourages families across Southport to check for local cost of living support during the Conservative Government's Household Support Fund Awareness Week

DAMIEN Moore MP has welcomed the launch of the Government's Household Support Fund Awareness Week which is encouraging vulnerable families across Southport to check with Sefton Council what support is available to local people.

Since its launch in October 2021, the Household Support Fund has received over:- £2 billion in investment to alleviate Cost of living pressures, including:-:- £4,870,222 for Sefton Council as part of the fourth round of funding between:- April 2023 and March 2024. This brings the total funding available to Sefton residents through the fund to an:- £12,175,556.

With the fund, Councils in England can use their local knowledge to reach out to those in need and provide support to cover the costs of essentials such as groceries, toiletries, warm clothing, and energy bills.

As part of the Conservative Government's Household Support Fund Awareness Week, vulnerable individuals across England are being encouraged to contact their Councils and learn more about the support available in their area. This is part of the Government's unwavering commitment to support vulnerable households by alleviating their Cost of living pressures.

The Conservative Government is taking the necessary long-term decisions to put the country on the right path for the future while fulfilling its promises to halve inflation, boost the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop illegal immigration. The Government remains steadfast in its support for vulnerable households and will continue to take bold steps to ensure that they receive the support they need.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament, said:- "I know families across Southport are still feeling significant Cost of living pressures due to high inflation caused by Putin's illegal war in Ukraine, and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why I welcome the sustained support the Government is providing through the:- £2 billion pound means tested Household Support Fund to support our most vulnerable local communities, in addition to the second:- £300 Cost of living payment from 31 October 2023, and the:- £300 Winter Fuel payment."

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:- "The best way we can protect family finances is by driving down inflation, but as it reduces, we recognise that cost of living pressures remains for some of the most vulnerable households. Our record:- £842 million cash injection to the Household Support Fund in England this year means that people most in need will be able to get extra support locally to cover the essentials. And alongside this unprecedented cost of living support, we're taking the long term decisions to reform the welfare system to help thousands more people benefit from the income boost provided by employment."

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said:- "Thanks to this Government's massive extension to the Household Support Fund for every community throughout England, plus money for devolved Governments, we have seen some wonderfully innovative and locally focused uses of the additional money by local Councils to ensure support is delivered to those families and those needing extra help in tough times. In my own area, West Sussex, over:- £9 million is helping locally to finance door-to-door food box deliveries and supermarket vouchers to the most vulnerable. Vital support will also be available to help with the cost of vehicle repairs, white goods and public transport fares to ensure people stay connected, and this is on top of previous allocations. This Household Support Fund Awareness Week, I do encourage anyone in the country who is struggling to cover costs to speak to their local Council about what extra support is available in their area. I know local MPs will be keen to do the same, so their constituents know the additional help available on their doorstep. Today, the Government is also teaming up with Amazon Alexa to relaunch a public information campaign that helped British households save an estimated:- £120 million last winter. Through a free partnership between:- the Government and Amazon, anyone asking Alexa:- including:- the free mobile phone app - how to save money on their energy bill will receive advice on preparing their home for winter and use less energy in the long-term, which could save at least:- £100 a year. The partnership is part of today's relaunch of the Government's It All Adds Up campaign, which last year saw 80% of people in the UK saying they had taken at least 1 of the money saving actions. Alongside Alexa, advice is available online via the Help for Households website and through a public information campaign including:- partnerships, billboards and radio adverts later in the autumn."

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