Guidance for schools published today by the Government gives them flexibility to provide meals or vouchers for food shopping to low-income families if they are no longer going to school because of school closures, or self-isolation at home.
Around 1.3 million children are entitled to free school meals.
Effective immediately, schools will be able to order vouchers directly from supermarkets or shops in their communities to be emailed or printed and posted to families, and they will have their costs covered by the Department for Education.
The Government said the value of the vouchers will also be paid at a higher rate than usual, to recognise that costs may be higher for families because they will not be able to shop in bulk.
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