Claire Armitstead, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, comments on the Welsh government’s plans to extend free school meal eligibility in secondary schools.
“We are pleased the Welsh government is taking action over a clear inequity by extending free school meal eligibility in secondary schools to more households receiving Universal Credit. The current income limit excludes many families who are experiencing very difficult living conditions, and we’ve called for its removal.
“However, it is disappointing to see the extended entitlement will only be phased in as children move into secondary school rather than it being applied across all secondary year groups from September. This means that many existing secondary pupils from disadvantaged homes will continue to miss out on this lifeline.
“We recognise the financial challenges with which ministers are grappling but we urge them to be bolder in helping children and families who are facing intense cost-of-living pressures.”