Footballer toasts provision of free school meals until Easter

MARCUS Rashford has welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to provide free school meals during school holidays until Easter next year.

The England and Manchester United footballer spearheaded a campaign which led to the UK Government providing free school meals to children in England during the 2020 summer holidays, following a move already implemented by the Welsh Government.

The pledge was announced by Education Minister Kirsty Williams, who said £11 million had been made available to ensure free school meal provision over every school holiday until that date.

She also confirmed that more than £700,000 had been allocated to support colleges with the equivalent measures for students who are eligible.

Rashford said: “Holiday provision is vital to stabilising households during the school closures, given the devastating effects of Covid-19.

“Having this framework in place for the foreseeable future will have a significantly positive impact on children who are struggling to engage in learning due to anxiety and fear, not to mention the noise of their rumbling stomachs.

“No child in 2020 should be sat in a classroom worried about how they are going to access food during the holidays, and the impact that will have on their parents when matched with unemployment, ill-health and, in some cases, personal loss.

“There is still so much more work to be done to protect this next generation but I welcome the Welsh Government’s swift response to this urgent need in protecting the most vulnerable children across the country.

“Our children and their welfare should never not be the priority.”

The Welsh Government said it had previously allocated £41.7m to ensure free school meals continue to be provided during the coronavirus pandemic.

In April, Wales became the first country in the UK to guarantee ongoing funding for children to continue to benefit from free school meals until the end of the summer holidays.

After schools reopened in September, the Welsh Government said at least £420,000 had been made available to ensure pupils would continue to receive free school meals if they were shielding or had to self-isolate.

Ms Williams said: “We have worked tirelessly this year to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the countless challenges it has presented but we have not, and will not, forget those for who school is about far more than education.

“I am pleased to confirm that we have today made £11 million available to provide free school meal provisions over every school holiday up to and including Easter 2021.

“I really hope this provides some reassurance in these times of uncertainty.”