Schools told not to provide free school meals over February half-term

14 January 2021, 15:11 | Updated: 14 January 2021, 21:31

The government has told schools not to provide free meals over the February half-term
The government has told schools not to provide free meals over the February half-term. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Schools have been told not to provide free school meals over the February half-term in new government guidance.

The decision not to provide school children with the £15-a-week vouchers over the break comes after repeated public backlashes and U-turns over free school meals.

New advice published this morning says children who need help over half-term will have access to "wider government support" through the government's new Covid Winter Grant Scheme.

The £170 million funding, announced on 8 November, will go directly to local authorities, but with 80 per cent ring-fenced "to support with food and essential utility costs".

However, the scheme does not appear to offer the same guarantee provided by free school meal vouchers, with it instead relying on councils to "directly help the hardest-hit families" and "identify" those most in need.

Read more: Govt to investigate ‘woefully inadequate’ free school meal parcels

Watch: James O'Brien comforts mum who felt 'ashamed' complaining about parcels

Gavin Williamson "disgusted" by "unacceptable' food parcels

New guidance on the government's website reads: "Support should be provided each week for benefits-related free school meal pupils at home during the national lockdown and school opening restrictions, from the week beginning 4 January to the week beginning 8 February.

"This guidance will be regularly reviewed and will expire when schools are no longer asked to limit attendance.

"Schools do not need to provide lunch parcels or vouchers during the February half-term.

"There is wider government support in place to support families and children outside of term-time through the Covid Winter Grant Scheme."

The government also said councils - who will receive the funding in the coming month - are "best placed to identify and help those children and families most in need" as they have "local ties and knowledge".

Read more: Gavin Williamson 'disgusted' by 'unacceptable' school meals parcel

Watch: James O'Brien's reaction to the 'absolute debacle' of free meal parcels

Labour will speak to the Children's Minister over ' inadequate food parcels'

However, schools in England will be able to claim extra vouchers for families who received inadequate lunch parcels between 4 and 16 January.

Nonetheless, the decision risks the government once again pitting itself against campaigners who forced ministers to U-turn over the issue last summer and ran a successful campaign over the October half-term and Christmas break.

It also comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson both suggested schools could remain closed beyond the next lockdown review in mid-February.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, branded the move "simply astonishing".

He told The Times: “The government has, once again, revealed its total disregard for those hardest hit by the ongoing pandemic.

“After a year in which the stark inequalities faced by millions of children and young people has been at the forefront of the minds of the public, the ugly spectre of holiday hunger is now looming yet again."

He added that the decision casts a shadow over public statements made by ministers on Wednesday about how appalled they were by food parcels seen on social media.

“These are battles which should not have to be repeatedly fought,” he said.

Mr Johnson said the food packages sent to disadvantaged children were a “scandal and a disgrace” as the government reversed its recommendation for schools to send parcels instead of vouchers.

The prime minister branded them appalling and an “insult to the families that have received them”, before agreeing to review the supply chain.

Children's Minister Vicky Ford said she was "urgently" looking into the matter after one mother posted an image of a £30 parcel which was estimated to contain just over £5 worth of food.

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet

Dog-free zones should be introduced to tackle racism, the Welsh government has been told.

Dog-free zones needed in countryside to tackle racism, Welsh government told

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport

Clifton Suspension Bridge has quit Elon Musk's X after 15 years on the site.

Clifton suspension bridge dramatically departs from Twitter sparking wave of online jokes

Exclusive
Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year.

Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year

Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged over June's incident

Two Just Stop Oil activists charged after orange paint thrown over Stonehenge

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

Man charged with carrying offensive weapons after 'knife' incident near Parliament

Exclusive
Michael Harris died in an e-scooter crash

'My best friend was killed in an e-scooter crash - I'm urging the government not to legalise them for use on roads'

Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, from Southwark, was pronounced dead at the scene in East Street, Walworth.

First picture of Walworth market 'knife rampage' victim as suspect appears in court

Police at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage where three people died and seven people were taken to hospital

Woman arrested over Dorset care home deaths released without charge