Wales extends free school meals for Easter holidays

The Welsh Government has confirmed that free school meal holiday provision will continue to be available to children from lower income families for the Easter break and may bank holiday, with funding of £9 million.

In 2020 Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays. Individual local authorities decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to families.

The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru’s Co-operation Agreement commits to providing free school meals to all primary school children during term time by 2024. Over three million meals have been served since rollout began in September 2022.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: "Many families across Wales are feeling the impact of rising prices and the cost-of-living crisis. I hope extending free school holiday provision until May half term will give those eligible piece of mind.

"We know that food has a huge impact on concentration and children’s overall well-being. I want children and young people to be able to enjoy their school holidays and not have to worry about being hungry.

"This new announcement alongside the news that three million meals have been served up though Universal Primary Free School Meals shows our continued commitment that no child should go hungry."