Thousands of free school meals handed out in Warwickshire

News Reporter THOUSANDS of free school meals were handed out in Warwickshire during lockdown - with the most in Nuneaton.

We asked Warwickshire County Council for a breakdown of how many free school meals were given out to make sure children in need could eat.

During lockdown, a high profile campaign by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford saw the Government U-turn on the policy which would have seen children go without meals during the school holidays. A Shire Hall spokesperson explained that when the local authority mobilised support to children eligible for free school meals in March/april when schools closed, they supported 7,016 children who go to school in the county.

Nuneaton tops the countywide breakdown, which is as follows: Nuneaton - 1,586 Rugby - 1,537 Bedworth - 770 Warwick - 603 Leamington Spa - 533 Stratford-upon-avon - 425

Coventry - 351 Atherstone - 190 Southam - 89

Tamworth - 86 Alcester - 83 Studley - 79 Shipston-on-stour - 74 Kenilworth - 67 Wellesbourne - 35 Bidford on Avon - 31 Lighthorne Heath - 28 Dordon - 26 Polesworth - 26 Coleshill - 25 Arley - 23 Hartshill - 22 Mancetter - 20 Kinsgbury - 19 Henley-in-arden - 18 Kineton - 18 Daventry - 17 Solihull - 14 Bishops Itchington - 13 Salford Priors - 12 Bishops Tachbrook - 11 Ryton-on-dunsmore - Baddesley Ensor - 9 Banbury - 9 Evesham - 8 Fillongley - 8 Water Orton - 8 Wood End - 8 Hinckley - 6 Newbold-on-stour - 5 Ansley Common - 3 Brandon - 3 Clifton-uponDunsmore - 3 Curdworth - 3 Stretton on Dunsmore -3

Ansley - 2

Fenny Compton - 2 Lillington - 2 Lutterworth - 2 Mickleton - 2

New Arley - 1 Newbold-on-avon - 1 Old Arley - 1 Families struggling to feed their children were offered help via the Local Welfare Scheme.

Parents of youngsters who normally qualify for Warwickshire County Council’s free school meals were offered six weeks of support initially to help buy food, with a £30 voucher per child.