Free School Meal Vouchers Scheme - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:39 am on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Crossbench 11:39, 10 June 2020

My Lords, 15.4% of children were eligible for free school meals in 2019, with 42% in pupil referral units and 37% in special schools. Many of these children’s health and well-being would at least in part be protected if their entitlement to the equivalent of free school meals were to continue through the summer holidays to the autumn term. A high proportion of recipients are from BME backgrounds and many are child carers. Does the Minister consider it appropriate to go back to Her Majesty’s Government and re-emphasise noble Lords’ support for the continuing provision of the equivalent of £15 per child per week to promote a level of equality of access to food for children in the poorest households this summer?