Weekly food vouchers for children at home
Schools can now provide children who are eligible for free meals with £15 supermarket vouchers while staying at home, under a new Government initiative.
This will allow children to continue accessing food after schools closed to many students amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The voucher will be a weekly one which can be spent at a range of shops including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S. The Government is trying to get more shops to sign up.
The move has been welcomed by Black Country MPs.
Schools can continue providing meals for collection or delivery themselves.
But where this is not possible, the scheme will allow schools to provide vouchers to families electronically, or as a gift card for those without internet access.
Marco Longhi the MP for Dudley North, said: "This is positive and very reassuring news for many families across Dudley North. This will help to ensure children get healthy nutritious meals out of school."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson added: "No child should go hungry as a result of the measures introduced to keep people at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
"That’s why we are launching this scheme to make sure children who usually benefit from free school meals still have access to healthy and nutritious meals while they are not attending school."
