Schools told not to give out free school meals during half-term

The authorities has been criticised after telling colleges that they do not want to present free meals or meals vouchers for youngsters during the February half time period.

In steering printed right this moment, they stated: ‘Schools do not want to present lunch parcels or vouchers during the February half-term.

‘There is wider government support in place to support families and children outside of term-time through the Covid Winter Grant Scheme.’

There was a fast outcry, with MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy writing on Twitter: ‘There is not any excuse for permitting kids to go hungry during school holidays.

‘But that’s precisely what the Government needs to do over February half-term by stopping free school meals.

‘Incredible that they refuse to accept they’ve misplaced this argument.’

There is already wider authorities assist in place to assist households and kids with meals during February half-term, by means of the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, delivered by native authorities https://t.co/BpPVoOdMRE

— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) January 14, 2021

Kevin Courtney, the boss of the National Education Union, stated the choice to assist households by means of a council Covid grant scheme as an alternative was a ‘logistical nightmare’.

He stated it will put ‘millions of pupils’ and ‘ministers should hang their heads in shame’.

Fellow Labour MP Zarah Sultana wrote: ‘This comes after they had been twice pressured to u-turn on this challenge final yr.

‘It’s scandalous how the Tories have to introduced kicking and screaming to do something for working class youngsters.’

The information comes after widespread anger on the state of the among the ‘hampers’ given out to households, which regarded meagre and together with issues like half a clingfilmed crimson pepper and shreds of tuna sealed in a coin bag.

NEU joint basic secretary Mr Courtney stated: ‘This week, Matt Hancock, Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson made public statements about how appalled they had been by the standard of meals parcels shared on Twitter.

‘But that is put in the shade by today’s affirmation that free school meals will not go forward over half time period. These are battles which ought to not have to be repeatedly fought.’

The authorities declare that households shall be supported by the £170m Covid Winter Grant fund arrange in early December over the week in query.

Save the Children stated in a press release: ‘It is deeply regarding that colleges have been told not to provide #FreeSchoolMeals in half time period.

‘Free school meals are a vital lifeline for families on low incomes and we urge the government to reverse this decision.’

More follows.