Bridgend County Borough Council has welcomed news that Welsh Government is to provide £11m funding to ensure that vulnerable children can benefit from free school meals during school holidays.
The funding, which has been confirmed by Education Minister Kirsty Williams, will cover all school holidays up to and including the Easter break in 2021.
The minister said she hoped the confirmation would provide ‘some reassurance in these times of uncertainty’ and confirmed that more than £700,000 was being allocated to support colleges with the equivalent provision for eligible learners.
Councillor Dr Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and regeneration, said: “This funding from Welsh Government is in addition to the £7m which was provided back in March when schools first shut their doors to protect pupils from the spread of the coronavirus, and the £420,000 which followed for children who were shielding and self-isolating.
“They have delivered on their promise to ensure that children can continue to benefit from free school meal provision up to and including the end of the summer holidays.
“The council will now work alongside its partners to ensure that the funding is used to benefit all eligible children, and that no child goes hungry over the school holiday periods.”