Government confirms free school meals scheme won't continue over summer holiday

Downing Street said the free school meals voucher scheme would not continue over the summer holiday.

Instead officials said today that a £9 million programme offering activities and food in England could be extended.

But Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who is currently running a scheme in Swansea feeding around 500 people a day during the pandemic, said it wasn't good enough.

She told the Mirror: "The summer is the time when kids most need that help.

"Families can ill-afford to feed kids under normal times but this summer will be extremely hard.

Carolyn Harris MP preparing packed lunches at Jersey Park Pavilion (South Wales Evening Post)

"I would like to see the government do the right thing and prioritising the needs of families during this crisis."

The scheme has helped to support those who normally get free school meals while they have been at home due to covid-19.

Around 1.3million children in England are entitled to free school meal supermarket vouchers - equivalent to £15 per child per week - which can be spent at any major supermarket. They should be available until schools reopen.

Children qualify for the scheme if their parents receive Universal Credit, provided the annual net earned income isn't above £7,400, Income Support, Income based Employment and Support Allowance, Income based Job Seekers Allowance or Child Tax Credit.

But the scheme has been beset with problems.

School staff have spoken of spending hours trying to deal with the administration required to register for the scheme with the Edenred company leading to some schools finding the money or providing meals themselves.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The voucher scheme will not run over the summer.

“A £9 million holiday activities and food programme will offer activities and meals to thousands of disadvantaged children during the summer break.

“We are keeping this scheme under review to consider whether it needs to be extended further.”

The scheme was extended over the half-term break after pressure from parents, pupils and school leaders.

Government covered the cost of that extension after more than 100,000 people signed a petition.