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Free meals available to eligible learners over half term holiday

24 May 2023 2 minute read
Photo Welsh Government

Free school meals will be made available to children from lower income families over the May half term holiday.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles has also confirmed that eligible Further Education students in college and six form will also receive free meal provision during the May break, with an estimated 4000 learners set to benefit.

An estimated 115,000 school learners are eligible to benefit from the free holiday provision.

Funding for eligible school aged children is through the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru cooperation agreement.

In 2020 Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays.

Individual local authorities decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to families.

A similar system will be in place for eligible FE students.

Vital

Jeremy Miles, said: “It’s vital that children and young people are able to enjoy their school holidays and that we help take pressure off families who are struggling with the cost of living.

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to further extend this support for learners in schools and colleges.  I would encourage families to find out if they can apply for this support with their Local Authority.”

Plaid Cymru’s Designated Member, Sian Gwenllian, added: “Eligible school pupils having access to free school meals during the May half-term will provide real help to many as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. I am proud that by working together we have made sure that learners have support when the school doors close for the May holidays.”


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Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
10 months ago

In Finland, Denmark and Sweden ALL children qualify for free school meals automatically and as of right. There are no “eligible” families.
But then these are small independent sovereign nation states with a healthy economy.
It seems that our government and it’s Plaid Cymru lackies are “proud” to be supplying this service.
This is not a matter of pride, this is a matter of shame.

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