The families of children eligible for free school meals from the council are set to receive supermarket food vouchers to cover both the Christmas holiday and the February half term break.

Councillors will next week be asked to endorse plans to provide a Covid-19 food support package so that children from low income families don't go hungry when away from school in December and February.

This comes following Marcus Rashford's call for an extension of free school meals to include half-term and Christmas was rejected by the government last month.

The council's cabinet member for children's services Cllr Will Sweet said:

"Ensuring children don't go hungry whilst away from school is a key priority. I'm delighted that once again the council is planning to step in and offer support to those who most need it.

"The pandemic has been hugely challenging for everyone, but especially for those on the lowest incomes. These are families in our borough who need the greatest amount of support and assistance. This is why we are proposing action to ensure these children don't go hungry over Christmas and half term."

This latest proposal of support mirrors a scheme launched by the council in May which provided supermarket food vouchers to eligible families throughout the first lockdown.

Some residents have previously criticised the council's meal plan scheme, saying that it doesn't go far enough in helping every child in need.

Parents whose children normally receive free school meals receives vouchers which can be redeemed in their supermarket of choice for food and not for other items.

The council has said that families who need additional financial support can apply for grants from the borough's discretionary social fund.

These crisis grants are designed to cover the cost of food and fuel and do not need to be paid back.

The borough has also set up a fund to provide emergency support to families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This scheme is open to Wandsworth residents who, due to the current situation, have had their employment/income reduced and are now reliant on claiming Universal Credit.

Councillors will be asked to endorse the free school meals proposal at the December 3 meeting of the finance, resources and climate sustainability overview and scrutiny committee.

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