An investment of £25 million in the school kitchen and dining infrastructure has been announced by the Welsh government as part of plans to roll out free school meals to all primary school children.
The policy is part of the cooperation agreement between the government and Plaid Cymru, which will see free school meals extended to all primary school pupils over the next three years.
From September, some of the youngest children in primary schools will begin receiving free school meals as the policy is introduced in a phased way.
Working with schools and local authorities, the Welsh government says its goal is for all primary aged pupils to receive free school meals by September 2024.
In Scotland, the government was on track to be the first nation in the UK to provide free meals for all primary pupils.
In January 2015, Scottish pupils in the first three years of primary started to receive free meals. In August 2021, Primary 4 pupils started to receive free school lunches and, in January, Primary 5 pupils were included in the scheme.
However, the government has stalled its commitment to introduce free meals for all primary pupils by the start of the new school year in August. It now says it is committed to funding the expansion of free school meals to all pupils in primary and special schools “during this parliament”, which has over four years to run.
In Wales, revenue funding of up to £200 million has been set aside for local authorities to deliver the commitment, with £40 million to be provided in 2022-23, £70 million in 2023-24 and £90 million in 2024-25.
First minister Mark Drakeford said: “Together we have made a joint commitment that no child in Wales should go hungry and that every child in our primary schools will be able to have a free school meal.
“We are facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis. We know younger children are more likely to be living in relative income poverty, which is why the youngest of our learners will be the first to benefit.
“This cost of living crisis is being felt by families all over Wales - extending free school meals is one of a number of measures we are taking to support families through this difficult time.”
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said it was clear that families needed as much support as possible with the cost of living.
He added: “Today’s announcement begins the roll-out of a policy that will make a real difference to many across the country. It is an important step towards fulfilling one of our key pledges in the cooperation agreement and an example of how constructive joint working is making a real difference on the ground.
“This new capital funding supports the start of the introduction of free school meals for all primary school children.”
Mr Price said the move was “also part of a wider agenda to use those powers we do have in Wales to tackle child poverty, which affects a third of our children”.
He added: “Removing the stigma associated with having a free lunch will mean that children receive a healthy meal at a formative stage in their development - hungry children cannot learn or achieve their true potential.”
