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<p>During this period of partial school closures, we are asking schools to support
children who are at home and eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school
meals by providing meals or food parcels through their existing food providers wherever
possible. We know that many schools are successfully delivering food parcels or arranging
food collections for eligible children, and we encourage this approach where it is
possible. However, we recognise that providing meals and food parcels is not a practicable
option for all schools. That is why on 31 March we launched a national voucher scheme
as an alternative option, with costs covered by the department.</p><p>Through the
national voucher scheme, schools and families could initially access e-gift cards
for Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. On Monday
27 April, we added Aldi to this list and on Wednesday 29 April, we added McColl’s.
We recognise that it may not be convenient or possible for some families to visit
one of these supermarkets and we have been working to see if additional supermarkets
can be added to this list. Any additional supermarkets would need to have the right
infrastructure to deliver e-gift cards across their network of stores.</p><p>If schools
are unable to provide meals or food parcels and none of the supermarkets participating
in the national voucher scheme are suitable for families, schools can purchase vouchers
for alternative shops and claim costs back, up to a certain limit.</p><p>Guidance
on providing free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak is available here:<br>
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools</a>.</p><p>Further
guidance on financial support is available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020</a>.</p><p>These
are rapidly developing circumstances. We continue to keep the situation under review
and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</p>
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