Controversial free school meal vouchers provider Edenred has a contract with Britain’s largest teaching union to supply “exclusive” perks for members - but the deal is being cut short, a document reveals.
The NEU has “negotiated an early exit” from the contract following “careful consideration”, as well as a poll of member opinion and analysis of uptake of the scheme, the union’s Executive Report 2021 states.
This is to seek better value for money and a more “tailored” offering, the NEU says.
Edenred was at the centre of controversy last year when, after schools had closed, headteachers and school business managers spent hours on the phone or online trying to obtain free school meals vouchers in a scheme described as “broken every step of the way”.
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NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney has described the vouchers scheme as a “shambles”, which “caused distress and anxiety for families”.
Edenred and the free school meals vouchers controversy
In response to a Commons’ Public Accounts Committee report into the voucher scheme, he said: “It meant extra, avoidable pressure for headteachers at the time when they were working late into the night. Schools across the country stepped up to provide food parcels and emergency support to the families but there is no defence for why the issues took so long to resolve.”
Edenred currently runs a separate scheme for NEU members that provides “an exclusive package of discounts and services” as well as benefits including insurance, financial advice, and reduced-cost will writing services, according to the NEU website.
But the union’s latest executive report states: “In October 2020, the union negotiated an early exit from its member benefits and services contract with Edenred.
“Edenred will continue to offer services to NEU members until 31 March 2021. The union is exploring alternative providers of member benefits who can offer our members value for money.”
A statement on the NEU website also states: “After careful consideration, analysis of member uptake of the offers provided, and polling of member opinion, the NEU has decided to seek a different type of member rewards programme with offers that represent better value for money and are better tailored to the needs and interests of our members.”
An NEU spokesperson said the poll was not in relation to Edenred, but about what benefits members might like going forward.
