⚡️A national scheme for 5–15‑year‑olds for about 6–8 weeks would likely cost: £120m–£200m depending on uptake.
🌞 Why summer?
Choosing summer is strategic:
Families face higher childcare and transport costs during holidays.
Young people have more unstructured time, and mobility reduces isolation.
Councils run Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programmes — free travel increases access.
It avoids the complexity of term‑time school transport rules.
🧒 Social impact
A scheme like this would have measurable effects:
Reduced financial pressure on low‑income families
Higher participation in summer clubs, libraries, museums, sports
Better independence for teens (especially 13–15)
Lower car use, easing congestion in cities
Improved access to part‑time summer jobs