Two councils putting cash in parents’ accounts

SOME councils in Wales are putting money into parents’ banks to cover free school meals, instead of handing out “grab bag” meals during the coronavirus outbreak.

Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot councils will now be paying money into accounts by bank transfer from next Monday, April 6.

Two weeks since schools shut, councils across Wales are implementing different policies to get food to children eligible for free school meals, including through the twoweek Easter holiday, which would have started next week.

Some are still providing the “grab bag” free meals – despite some reports that they are not all being collected – and others are looking at vouchers.

England has brought in a blanket policy for all councils which will provide families with eligible children with a £15 supermarket voucher every week.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced its emergency provision of free school meals will change from April 6, with a cash payment made by bank transfer replacing the current packed lunch system. Those eligible must re-apply to receive it.

At the moment a cold lunch and breakfast is being provided for eligible parents and carers in RCT to collect each weekday at their local primary school between 11am and midday. This will stop on Monday.

With school meals in RCT costing £3.90 a day, a weekly payment of £19.50 will be made each Monday to those eligible, equal to five daily school meal payments.

The council said in a statement online: “In response to changing demand during this period, from Monday, April 6, a cash payment will instead be made to parents’/carers’ bank accounts. This payment is instead of a free school meal and parents/carers are expected to use the money for the benefit of their eligible child/children.”

The council is writing to parents/ carers of eligible pupils to explain