Vouchers in place of free school meals

Monklands families whose children are entitled to free school meals are now being issued with vouchers to cover food costs during the school closure period due to coronavirus.

North Lanarkshire Council began issuing the weekly £ 20 vouchers on Monday, either by text, email or post depending on the contact details held for each eligible family.

Vouchers can be redeemed by being cashed and then spent on food at any shop which has Paypoint, with a list of locations being available at consumer. paypoint.com

Council officials say: “You must spend your cash in the shop where you exchange your voucher for two reasons – first, you must not make any unnecessary journeys to comply with government guidance, and second, you will be supporting local business.

“Funding for the additional element of this provision has come from the £3 million emergency fund which has been set up by the council to deal with the health crisis.”

All eligible families, including those who would ordinarily use the free meal provision at holiday food project

Club 365, are receiving vouchers; but packed lunches also remain available for collection from hub schools if necessary, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Hilltop Primary in Airdrie and St Ambrose High in Coatbridge are the hubs for the respective towns where care provision is being made for the children of essential key workers; there are a total of 10 hubs across North Lanarkshire, also including Chryston High.

Council officials said of the £20 weekly voucher system on their dedicated webpage: “We monitor the Paypoint system to ensure that vouchers are being used.

“We are aware of fraudulent emails circulating asking for bank details of those with children entitled to free school meals – please be aware that we do not require your bank details.”

They added of social distancing and the requirement to leave home only for essential shopping: “Almost everyone in North Lanarkshire is already following these rules.

“Please follow these to ensure that you aren’t increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus.”