Free school meal holiday provision will continue to be available
to children from lower income families for the Easter and Whitsun
school holidays.
The funding is an agreement between the Welsh Government and
Plaid Cymru.
During the easter holidays individual local authorities will
decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by
creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to
eligible families.
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to have an impact on
families across Wales, funding is being provided to offer
eligible pupils a free school meal up until the end of May half
term holiday, including all bank holidays during this period.
Families maybe able to qualify for free school meals and free
holiday provision if they get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (as long as you don't also get Working Tax
Credit and your annual income is £16,190
or less before tax)
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop
qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - your household income must be less than
£7,400 a year after tax
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Minister for Education and Welsh Language, , said:
“No child should have to worry about going hungry over the school
holidays. I am pleased that we have been able to extend free
holiday provision to the May half term holiday. We know that food
has a huge impact on concentration and children’s overall
well-being. I want children and young people to be able to enjoy
their school holidays and take pressure off families who are
already struggling with the cost of living.
“I would encourage families to find out whether they qualify by
speaking to their local authority.”
Plaid Cymru’s Designated Member, , said:
“When the school doors close for the holidays, our support for
those who most need it should not come to an end. We are working
together to make sure no child goes hungry over the Easter and
May school holidays and helping hard-pressed families during the
cost of living crisis.”
