Children eligible for free school meals in Wales will continue to get provision extended throughout the Easter holidays in a £9m package to address holiday hunger. Nearly one in four children are eligible for free school meals in Wales with numbers rising since the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
Eligible families will get direct payments, vouchers, or lunches provided throughout the holidays. Local councils will decide individually how best to administer the holiday school meal package in their local areas.
The Welsh Government confirmed it is funding the extension of free school meal provision for children for lower-income families through the Easter and Whitsun school holidays as part of its co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. In 2020 Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays.
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Welsh Government data shows 24% of primary school children and 20% of secondary-age children are eligible for free school meals. The School Census results from February 2022 show 380,870 pupils aged five to 15 were known to be eligible for free school meals – up from 22.9% at April 2021.
“With the cost of living crisis continuing to have an impact on families across Wales £9m has been provided to offer eligible pupils a free school meal up until the end of May half-term holiday including all bank holidays during this period,” a spokesman for the Welsh Government said. The co-operation agreement with Plaid also commits the Welsh Government to providing free school meals to all primary school children during term time by 2024. More than three million meals have been served since the rollout of universal free school meals for primary-age children began in September 2022.
Announcing the Easter holiday food package education minister Jeremy Miles, said: “Many families across Wales are feeling the impact of rising prices and the cost of living crisis. I hope extending free school holiday provision until May half term will give those eligible peace of mind. We know that food has a huge impact on concentration and children’s overall wellbeing. I want children and young people to be able to enjoy their school holidays and not have to worry about being hungry. This new announcement alongside the news that three million meals have been served up though universal primary free school meals shows our continued commitment that no child should go hungry.”
Plaid Cymru’s designated member, Siân Gwenllian added: “During this cost of living crisis we are taking action to make sure all children in our primary schools will have access to a nutritious free school meal during term time, easing the pressure during these difficult times. By working together we are also able to announce a further extension of free schools meals during the school holidays for those from lower-income families – a multi-million-pound investment that will make a real difference to many. Our co-operation agreement is delivering much-needed support for families to ensure children and young people get the best start in life.”
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