Written question WQ94651
- Asked by
- Buffy WilliamsLabour
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government supporting local authorities to provide free school meals to children from families with no recourse to public funds?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
Children from families with no recourse to public funds are able to access our school milk scheme and free primary breakfast offer, as well as universal primary free school meals. Local authorities can also provide free school meals to children from families with no recourse to public funds, including those living in socio-economic disadvantage. The Welsh Government has written to local authorities reminding them of their discretionary powers (under the 1996 Education Act) which allow them to provide meals without charging. Our No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) guidance encourages local authorities to use this discretion to provide Free School Meals to any child whose parents’ immigration status means they have no recourse to public funds.