Judith Blake

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Ministers react to fears that children's meals free school, might have welcomed starve

teachers ' unions, the state decision means that families can have free school meals (FSM), will continue to receive financial aid to buy food over Easter.

last week, the Minister said, qualifying families for the shopping vouchers of £15 per week per child for the term of the time could claim.

Now the scheme is to be extended in England in the two-weeks-holiday.

unions said The Move would help ensure that children go hungry, as the Corona-Virus-pandemic, continued.

" the Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Gove , confirmed at the weekend that the coupons would continue to be paid on Easter.

'Make a real difference"

Paul Whiteman, Secretary-General, the leader of the " union of the SEAM, said he was pleased to see that the government's "measures to support The Most vulnerable children".

"We know that for many children the school lunch is their only hot meal of The Day , and in some cases, the only meal item.

"The government is doing The Right thing in stepping forward and ensure that all children can continue to access the food they Need . "

Geoff Barton, Secretary-General of The Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Many families find it even harder than normal to make ends meet in the current emergency, and with children home for a long time.

"the expansion of The voucher System will help make a real difference to alleviate The Risk that children are Going Hungry .

"We Are particularly concerned about the impact of a prolonged shutdown of the school to these Young People and their families, and are happy to work with the government on the examination of the total effects and what can be provided more support for you. "

Kevin Courtney , joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "It will be important to the news This Week that children who qualify for FSM are covered by The National voucher System, the during the Easter holiday period.

"parents who do not qualify for free school meals, but whose income has been reduced or stopped due to the coronavirus crisis, can qualify based on the new financial realities.

"parents and carers should check The Local authority websites for How To apply. "

Judith Blake , the Chairman of The Local Government Association, the children and Young People Board, said the provision for low attainers, including those in Need of free school meals and with special educational needs and disabilities, was a "top priority for councils and schools".

Ms Blake said of the Corona-Virus pandemic had forced thousands of families into financial uncertainty and warned that "many of the parents don't qualify previously, you may be interested in the free food in the school suitable for you".

"We continue to work with The Department For Education to ensure that these families have the peace of mind you Need ," She Said .

families will be issued, either to spend with a electronic coupon or gift card to the value of 15€ in the supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and M& S.

Round 1. 3 million children in England are entitled to free school meals and up to now, schools have been had to make their own arrangements.

school meals, coronavirus pandemic, child poverty, food banks, national association of head teachers, poverty

Source of news: bbc.com