Labour calls for free school meals for all holidays
Labour is calling for a transformation in support for families, saying that the decision not to extend free school meals over February half-term has left 1.4 million children facing a "five-day postcode lottery in food support".
It is calling on the government to extend free school meals across all school holidays this year and establish a cash transfers system to ensure families receive the full value of support.
It is also calling for planned cut to universal credit to be stopped, which it says could push a further 200,000 children into poverty.
Kate Green MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said: "The last year has shone a light on the impacts of poverty on health, wellbeing and learning. As we rebuild after this pandemic, we must deliver a transformation in support for families, starting with cancelling the planned cut to Universal Credit and guaranteeing provision of free school meals across all school holidays this year.”
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