Children could miss out on 24 million meals this summer, says Labour

The Labour Party has claimed that children could miss out on over 24 million meals this summer because free school meals hasn't been fully extended during the holidays.

The Government’s alternative holiday programme proposes free meals are provided to children who attend associated activities on just 16 of 30 weekdays this summer break, leaving children without food support for 14 days.

Labour is calling on the Government enable a system of cash payments for free school meals support during the holidays, ensuring families get the full value of this support and can choose the food and supplies that are right for their children.

Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan commits to extending free school meals support across the summer to ensure no child is left hungry, as the impact of the Conservatives’ decision to take financial support away from businesses will hit families.

Labour has also warned that the increase in Covid rates, which could see 3.5 million people a week forced to isolate, will result in children missing out further as ther is no plan to support to get food to children who are isolating.

Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Children, said: “Ensuring no child goes hungry is at the heart of Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan, which includes guaranteeing free school meals support over all school holidays during the pandemic.”