As many as 1.4 million children are missing out on free holiday activities and hot meals despite rising cost of living concerns, new research has revealed.

The government-backed Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is designed to provide major support to parents through the summer holidays.

But take-up of the scheme is as low as nine per cent in some regions, according to the findings from Money Wellness, with the average at just over a third (35 per cent).

This is paired with under-provision from local councils, the research adds, with nine in ten (90 per cent) of councils applying a waiting list or cap to their HAF scheme.

At least 17 councils put a ceiling on how many sessions each child could attend, averaging around just 16 in the summer.

Department for Education (DfE) guidance states authorities should aim to provide four hours a day per eligible child, for four days a week throughout the holidays – 24 days. However, it adds that it recognises “this is not always practical or possible.”

Adam Rolfe, policy and public affairs officer at Money Wellness, said: “The families we work with are stretched to breaking point over the summer. No childcare, no school meals, bills still coming in. HAF was designed to help exactly those families. The fact that most of them never get a place isn’t a data quirk – it’s a failure of delivery.”

The DfE was approached for comment.

Money Wellness has urged parents to ensure they are taking up the provision they are entitled to this summer.

Children from reception-age to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals are automatically eligible, while those who are not may be accepted by the council on a discretionary basis.

Parents are advised to book as early as possible for the scheme, with clubs in convenient locations filling up within days of bookings opening, and the majority of councils operating a waiting list after this.

Other summer holiday support available

In the case that there’s no space left on the local HAF, councils will signpost parents to other help available. Most areas have additional holiday provision run by schools, churches or local charities outside of the HAF programme.

There are also several other ongoing government-backed schemes:

Crisis and Resilience Fund

Introduced in April, the Crisis and Resilience Fund was brought in by Labour to support low-income households with essential costs. It replaces both the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.

Households are able to apply for both a ‘crisis payment’ and ‘housing payment’ through the scheme. The first usually takes the form of cash payment to prevent people from entering financial crisis, whether claiming benefits or not.

The housing payment is specifically to help with housing costs in the short-term, and is restricted only to those on certain benefits.

Food vouchers

Many local authorities have begun to phase out the use of food vouchers, but some are still providing them. This is because the Crisis and Resilience Fund has replaced the household support fund, which enabled authorities to finance their provision.

More information can be found by checking with the local council. For instance, Sutton Council has continued its food voucher scheme for four additional weeks this year, including the first two of the summer holidays.

Free bus travel for children in August

From 1 to 31 August, children aged 5 to 15 years will be granted free bus travel in England. With child fares usually costing £1 to £2, this will reduce the price of travelling over the summer holidays.

‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme

Over the holidays, families will be able to access cheaper prices on days out, cinema tickets and meals through a temporary VAT cut on family activities.

The cut reduces the standard 20 per cent rate to five per cent, with businesses expected to pass on their savings by reducing prices.

It applies to a range of participating family-targeted products and activities