More than a million school children who have been sent home for the foreseeable future will qualify for supermarket vouchers to help alleviate the pressure on struggling families during the coronavirus outbreak.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools across England are this week being invited to join a scheme that will give parents coupons to spend at their local supermarket.
It is estimated that 1.3million pupils are currently entitled to free meals. The vouchers - for £15-a-week for each eligible child - have been set above the £11.50 currently paid to schools for the cost of providing free meals.
They can be spent on food at a range of shops including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer,