Voucher scheme launched for children unable to access free school meals in England due to the COVID-19 outbreak

Where it's not possible to provide meals for collection or delivery, schools can now issue a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 for each eligible child

A voucher scheme has been launched for children unable to access free school meals in England due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Announcing the scheme, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said - 

'I recognise that the unprecedented action this government is taking to protect the country from coronavirus, including closing schools, is dramatically affecting the lives of many families...

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.'

The Department for Education highlights that schools can continue to provide meals for collection or delivery themselves but, where this is not possible, the scheme will allow schools to provide £15 weekly vouchers to families electronically, or as a gift card for those without internet access, to use at a range of supermarkets.

Commenting on the announcement, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers Paul Whiteman said - 

'The government has done the right thing by ensuring that vouchers can be used at a range of different shops, making it more practical for families to use the vouchers. Many schools had already developed their own schemes and local solutions, so it is good to see that they will be able to continue these if they’re working well or adopt the new scheme if they feel that would be better. We’ll be working with the government to make sure this system works as effectively as everyone hopes it will.'

NB - further guidance on free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak across the UK is available from gov.uk; mygov.scot; gov.wales; and education-ni.org.uk

For more information, see Voucher scheme launches for schools providing free school meals from gov.uk