To cover the cost of free school meals for pupils

the arrangements for re-applying.

Councillor Joy Rosser, RCT’s cabinet member for education and inclusion services, said: “Emergency provision of a packed lunch for pupils eligible for free school meals was made immediately after all schools closed for statutory education – to ensure the council could act very quickly in bringing this vital provision forward.

“Having now reassessed the current need, the council, along with all other local authorities in Wales, will be moving away from a packed lunch system. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, this will be replaced by a cash payment by bank transfer.

“The current packed lunch provision will continue up until Friday, April 3. Parents/carers should apply for the new payment as soon as they receive a letter from the council, to ensure they receive the first payment on April 6.”

Neath Port Talbot Council said it has also decided to issue bank transfer payments, the Mail understands.

Parents will be notified and given instructions on how to apply by letter or email. Nursery-age children are not eligible. Payment will not be made if the form sent to parents/carers is not completed. The current “grab and go” cold meals will end tomorrow in Neath Port Talbot.

In England, families with eligible children will get a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 per child to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed.

Powys County Council, which provides 2,272 pupils with a £3 free school meal each day in normal times, is considering vouchers instead of handing out packed lunches from “hub” schools.

A spokesman said: “We are looking at providing supermarket vouchers and possibly using a Paypoint cash-out facility where parents receive a barcoded voucher that they can take to a local Paypoint store and exchange for cash. We are also waiting for the Welsh Government to announce a national voucher scheme.”