Free school meals holiday provision will continue to be available to eligible pupils for the Easter and Whitsun school holidays.
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to have an impact on families across Wales, £9M has been provided to offer eligible pupils free school meals up until the end of May half term holiday, including all bank holidays during this period.
In 2020 Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays. Individual local authorities decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to families.
The Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement commits to providing free school meals to all primary school children during term time by 2024. Over three million meals have been served since the rollout began in September 2022.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Participation, said: “I welcome the extension of the free school meals provision for eligible families across our County Borough as many are feeling the impact of rising prices and the cost-of-living crisis.
“Eating healthy meals has a huge impact on concentration and children’s overall wellbeing, and we want all our children and young people to be able to enjoy their school holidays and not have to worry about being hungry.”
For more information on getting help with school costs and to check eligibility for Free School Meals, visit the Welsh Government website
Posted on 16/03/2023