Children in Wales will begin receiving free school meals from the beginning of next term, the Welsh Government has revealed. The policy, which was confirmed in March this year after an initial agreement was made over the free meals in Plaid Cymru and Labour’s cooperation agreement in December 2021, will begin with reception children and will be rolled out to all children at primary school age and under by 2024.
On Monday the Welsh Government said that alongside Plaid it was “committed to implementing the scheme as quickly as possible in response to the rising cost of living crisis”. Local authorities will effectively take on the role of providing the meals, funded by the Welsh Government.
£225m has been committed to secure its delivery over the next three years. £25m of that fund has gone to improving school kitchen facilities.
