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£35 million funding announced for free school meals |
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Minimum of nine new pilot areas by September 2010.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls has invited all local authorities to bid for cash to fund more universal free school meal pilots.
Free school meal pilots are already running in Durham and Newham, which are trialling universal free school meals for all primary age children, and Wolverhampton where they are trialling extended eligibility.
In December 2009 the Pre-Budget Report announced the government would be expanding the successful pilots to trial universal free school meals to all primary aged children in at least one local authority area in each region of the country. This means a minimum of nine pilot areas in total from September 2010.
Government funding for the new pilots have been set at £35 million, with the cost of each pilot depending on the number of children involved.
Balls said: "We know good health is vital if children are going to enjoy their childhood and achieve their full potential. Eating a nutritious meal at lunchtime from a young age can make eating well a healthy habit for life."
All local authorities are being asked to express their interest by 17 February, with final bids to be submitted to the Department for Children, Schools and Families by 12 March.
Further information:
DCSF |
