Comment: Free school meals announcement

Responding to the announcement on free school meals earlier this week Jenny Coles, ADCS President, said:

“No child or young person should be regularly going hungry and we know that school holidays are difficult for vulnerable families, including those who rely on free school meals. The government has made the right call in providing vouchers over the summer period, but this is a temporary solution to a much bigger problem: far too many families are forced to make tough decisions every day between eating, paying bills or keeping warm. A comprehensive plan to tackle both the symptoms and root causes of poverty is long overdue. The government must lead this endeavour from the front as a matter of urgency.

“There are so many unknowns at this time. We’d also urge the government to undertake a rapid review of the voucher scheme to inform any future arrangements either in the new school year or planning for responses to future pandemics.”

ENDS

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