What free school meals are children supposed to get?
During lockdown, children eligible for free school meals can still receive them – in the form of a shopping voucher or food parcel. But concerns have been raised about the standard of some food parcels, with footballer and meals campaigner Marcus Rashford suggesting they were “just not good enough”. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says he was “absolutely disgusted” with images of food parcels circulating on social media, and pledged a national supermarket voucher scheme will reopen today (January 18).
WHAT ARE CHILDREN SUPPOSED TO GET IN THE LATEST LOCKDOWN?
Schools must provide food for pupils attending in person if they normally qualify for free school meals.
If they are at home, they can receive food parcels or vouchers.
The government says these parcels should:
● contain food items rather than pre-prepared meals
● minimise fridge and freezer space needed
● contain items which parents can use to prepare healthy lunches
● not rely on parents having extra ingredients at home to prepare meals
● not contain items restricted under school food standards
● cater for special diets where necessary including allergies, vegetarians or religious diets
● contain food packaged in household, rather than wholesale, sizes The national voucher scheme will reopen today (January 18) and provide supermarket vouchers through an online portal.
WHICH CHILDREN GET FREE SCHOOL MEALS?
Free school meals have been at least partially funded by the government for more than a century, because of concerns about malnourishment and children being too hungry to concentrate during lessons.
Children of all ages – from nursery to sixth form – may be eligible if they live in households receiving income-related benefits, including:
● income support
● income-based jobseeker’s allowance
● income-related employment and support allowance
● universal credit
* Eligibility varies slightly between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland because the nations set their own rules.