PARENTS are to get free meals or vouchers for children if they qualify during school closure due to coronavirus.
The measure was announced by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson this evening.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The PM promised that schools already providing free meals will be reimbursed by the government.
He said: “We are making provisions to supply meals and vouchers for children eligible for free school meals.
“And where some schools are already doing this, I want to make it clear we will reimburse the cost.”
Around 1.5million kids across the country get free school meals.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Children usually qualify if their parents are in receipt of certain benefits such as Universal Credit or working tax credit.
You can check if you’re eligible by using the government website.
Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 automatically get free school meals if they attend a government funded school.
The Co-op Academies Trust, which runs 25 schools, has said it will give all 6,500 pupils who get free school meals a £20 voucher every week to cover food, Times Education Supplement reported.
Vic Goddard, the headteacher of Passmores Academy in Harlow, has already spent £15,000 buying supermarket vouchers so children on free school meals can be fed properly.
Full details about how the scheme will work is expected to be released later this evening or tomorrow ahead of school closures from Friday.
We explain how to get extra help with bills if you’re struggling due to coronavirus.
If you’re on Universal Credit or benefits then we have explained what help is available during such an unprecedented time.
Earlier this year there were calls for free school meals to be available to all children.