Some schools have expressed concerns about vulnerable children receiving food during lockdown as some families are running out of food because of delays in receiving free school meal vouchers under the government’s scheme in England. This is resulting in some schools providing families with emergency food parcels and food vouchers.
The BBC recently reported that some parents say that they are waiting up to 10 days for the government vouchers. Ordinarily families eligible for free school meals in England should receive vouchers worth £15 a week per child.
The Department for Education said it was providing extra cash for schools facing “unavoidable costs”.
However, Edenred, the company appointed to manage the scheme, has struggled to meet demand, even after its website was rebuilt over the Easter weekend and schools and parents are reporting issues with the website.
The National Association of Head Teachers is asking for improvements after “a significant number of schools” reported problems and schools are worried about having to rely on their own tight budgets to pay for emergency food parcels.
If you are concerned about this issue and have been experiencing difficulties obtaining food vouchers if your children are eligible for the same, please remember that there are charitable local food banks that may be able to assist you and your family.
To Find Foodbanks in your local area that may be able to assist you please click on this link – http://greatertogethermanchester.org/find-support/food-banks/