Written question WQ88608
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 4 days
Question
What representations has the Welsh Government received following the decision not to fund free school meals for eligible families during the summer school holidays?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Free school meals provision in the holidays was a form of time-limited support to help families, initially during the pandemic and as Wales recovered. We committed to continue funding the provision to the end of the May half-term holiday 2023.
Whilst I continue to receive representation on this issue, due to the very difficult funding situation the Welsh Government faces after 13 years of Tory misrule and austerity, it has unfortunately not been possible to meet the cost to cover any further extensions either from the Welsh Government’s wider budget, nor following discussion with Plaid Cymru from the Cooperation Agreement budget either.