Nursery World - Labour calls for free school meals in school holidays, as eligibility rises

More than half a million children have become eligible for free school meals during the pandemic, Labour estimates.

The number of children that now qualify for free school meals has risen during the pandemic PHOTO Adobe Stock

The opposition party is calling on the Government to provide a free school meals extension over half-term and summer holidays.

Government data shows that from March to October last year more than 11,000 children became eligible for free school meals each week. Combined with Labour FOI data this suggests over 418,000 children became eligible for free school meals from March to December 2020.

Last year, the Conservative Party voted against a proposal to extend free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021. Currently, the Conservatives’ Holiday Activities and Food Programme proposes providing food and activities to children eligible for free school meals during half of the summer holiday.

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