Ministers urged to open free school meals to new claims during summer school holiday

Ministers were today urged to allow children whose parents lose their jobs over the summer to receive free school meals.

The national free school meal voucher scheme was extended to cover the summer holidays following a campaign by the Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford .

Schools had to apply for the Covid Summer Food Fund vouchers at least a week before they close for the summer holidays.

However, a child who becomes eligible for free school meals during the holidays if their parents lose work will not have access to the scheme.

Tulip Siddiq, shadow minister for children, has written to the government calling for a rethink and said: “Many more people could sadly lose their jobs over the summer holidays as the economic impact of Covid-19 starts to bite, and we are concerned that their children won’t be able to access free school meal support.

“Ministers need to start thinking ahead about problems they will need to address in the future, rather than always scrambling to withdraw support and introduce limitations at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The government says families facing hardship can access emergency assistance grants through their local council but Ms Siddiq warned there will be “huge demands” on the support.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Schools should now have placed all their orders for the Covid Summer Food Fund, which will make sure that children eligible for free school meals will continue to have access to support during the summer holidays.

“Meals will be provided in schools once all pupils return in September, meaning we are now able to wind down the voucher scheme.”