free school meals and coronavirus - bevan foundation...• the closure of schools in wales due to...
TRANSCRIPT
STATE OF WALES BRIEFING
Free School Meals and
Coronavirus
1
State of Wales Briefing: Free School Meals and
Coronavirus
Key messages
• The closure of schools in Wales due to the outbreak of coronavirus saw over
60,000 children lose access to Free School Meals overnight.
• All bar 5 local authorities in Wales are either already or are intending to
provide families with the option of receiving cash in lieu of Free School Meals
whilst schools remain closed due to coronavirus.
• Providing cash in lieu of Free School Meals is the most effective way of
assisting families whilst schools are shut, and social distancing measures
remain in place.
Why it matters
Free School Meals provides vital support for thousands of children across Wales,
with the support provided estimated to be worth at least £334 a year, per child to a
family.1 The Free School Meals policy does not only provide families with financial
support but also ensures children have at least one good quality nutritious meal a
day, which has both health and educational benefits for the child and their family.
The enforced closure of schools due to the outbreak of coronavirus means that local
authorities in Wales must find alternative ways of supporting families. It is vital that
they do so in a way that supports as many children and families as possible.
What this briefing explores
This briefing is divided into three parts:
• Part 1 explores the impact of coronavirus on Free School Meals provision
• Part 2 outlines the approaches that have been taken by local authorities
across Wales
• Part 3 considers the strengths and weaknesses of each of these approaches
2
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
3
•
•
•
•
•
68,674
59,397
50,000
55,000
60,000
65,000
70,000
Eligible for FSM Taking FSM
Number of children eligible and taking FSM on School Census Day 2019
Eligible for FSM Taking FSM
4
•
•
•
•
•
5
•
•
•
•
6
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
8
State of Wales Briefings
This briefing is one of a series produced monthly on key topics produced exclusively
for Bevan Foundation subscribers.
Find out more about this and the other benefits we offer our subscribers by visiting
www.bevanfoundation.org or email [email protected].
About the Bevan Foundation
The Bevan Foundation is Wales’ most innovative and influential think tank. We
develop lasting solutions to Wales’ most challenging problems.
We are independent of government or any political party, and are funded by
subscriptions, donations, grants from charitable trusts and foundations and
commissions.
We have made every effort to ensure that the data in this briefing is accurate and up
to date at the time of writing. However, we cannot be held responsible for any error or
omission in the briefing or change in the source data.
145 & 145a High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8DP
www.bevanfoundation.org
T: 01685 350938
Registered charity no. 1104191 Company no. 4175018