Supermarket vouchers are to begin going out to children entitled to free school meals during the coronavirus pandemic. Schools have been closed as part of a UK-wide measure to help slow the spread of Covid- 19.The vouchers, worth £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.
The decision to give a higher amount is in recognition that families, unlike school caterers, do not order in bulk and therefore face higher costs.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools across the UK, including devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being invited to join the scheme to ensure those families most in need of support get the help