A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we
expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or
delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals
who are not yet able to return to school. Where this is not
possible, schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible
pupils.
“Free schools meals are ordinarily term time only, and the
national voucher scheme will not run during the summer holidays.
However, as announced this week by the Prime Minister, the local
authority welfare assistance scheme will provide help those to
who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to the
impact of COVID-19. £63 million pounds is being allocated to this
important project.”
“Thousands of children will also receive additional support
through our Holiday Activities and Food programme, which offers
activities and free meals throughout the summer holidays.”
Background
- The national
voucher scheme will not run during the summer holidays. We have
set no expectation for schools to provide food parcels over the
summer holidays.
- Thousands of
children will benefit from our Holiday Activities and Food
programme, worth £9m this year, which will cover 17 local
authority areas.
- Further information
is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-meals-and-summer-holiday-activities-for-children
- The government has
injected £6.5 billion into the welfare system in response to the
coronavirus outbreak, including increasing Universal Credit.
Through this, urgent payments are available, while some people
may be eligible for a nine-month grace period where their income
is not capped.
- At PMQs last week,
the Prime Minister confirmed an additional £63 million for local
authorities to help those who are struggling financially due to
the impact of COVID-19. This will allow authorities to provide
discretionary financial help to those facing severe hardship to
allow them to pay for food and other necessities.
- The award of the
contract for the national voucher scheme was under the scope of
public contract regulations allowing for urgent provision of
services in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The contract
relates to the maximum amount available, not the total value
awarded.
- As of 12 June, over
£150m has been redeemed in Edenred vouchers by families and
schools.
- The number of
pupils who receive Free Schools Meals in England is 1.3 million
as per the latest data.
- Guidance on providing
free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak is available
here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools
