Department for Education response to NAO investigation into the free school meals voucher scheme

Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford said:

“We have taken substantial action to make sure children do not go hungry throughout the pandemic, including by expanding eligibility for free school meals to more children than any other in decades. The NAO has recognised the swift action we took so that eligible children could access this important provision while schools were partially closed, with £380 million worth of voucher codes having been redeemed into supermarket gift cards by the time the scheme ended.

“Since then we have announced a cross-government package of support that builds on this, extending our successful Holiday Activities and Food programme to benefit thousands more children and launching a Covid Winter Grant Scheme to make sure families get the help they need at this time.”