Free school meal vouchers will continue for more than a million kids during half term, Government confirms
MORE than a million children on free school meals will get £15 vouchers over the half term break after a Government u-turn on the policy this morning.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the scheme introduced over the Easter break would be extended to help more than 1.3 million kids.
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Mr Gibb told the Education Select Committee the free school meal vouchers scheme had had a "bumpy start in terms of the software and how you applied for the vouchers" but that £101m of vouchers had been redeemed in supermarkets so far.
He said: "the cost of the voucher scheme will continue to be met by the Department for Education over half term."
The Government introduced the policy to give help to hungry kids for the Easter break - but previously said it would not be extended to half term.
A petition to keep school meals over the half term - started by a 16-year-old girl - was signed by over 100,00 people.
The vouchers, worth £15 a week per child, can be spent on food at supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S.
Parents need to apply directly to their child's school to receive the additional help - it's then up to the school to decide whether they'll get vouchers or meals.
If the school is giving out vouchers, these can be emailed or posted to parents.
Schools are due to open up again on June 1 for pupils in reception, year one and year six.
While they have stayed open during the crisis for kids of key workers and vulnerable children - there has only been a 2 per cent attendance rate.
The Government wants children in those years to have at least a month of learning before the summer break.
Who qualifies for free school meals?
CHILDREN usually qualify for free school meals if their parents get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or working tax credit.
You'll likely qualify if you get any of the following:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of pension credit
- Child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working tax credit run-on
- Universal Credit
Before coronavirus hit, children in reception, year one and year two automatically got free school meals if they attend a government-funded school.
This applies whether their parents claim benefits or not.
But while schools are shut due to COVID-19, these children won't be covered unless their parents recieve benefits, as mentioned above.
Under normal circumstances, schools are not expected to provide free school meals to children when they're off sick
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