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<p>The information requested is not held centrally. The department does not collect
information on the number of schools in England and Wales that have opened foodbanks
on their premises.</p><p>We know that the reasons for people using food banks are
varied and many. We will continue to reform the welfare system so that it encourages
work whilst supporting those who need help – an approach that is based on clear evidence
that work offers families the best opportunity to get out of poverty. This government
continues to spend over £95 billion a year on working age welfare benefits for those
who need them.</p><p>The provision of a healthy meal for children from households
who are out of work or on low incomes is of the upmost importance to the government.
We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school
meals (FSM), and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities
to determine eligibility. Over 1.1million of the most disadvantaged children are eligible
for and claiming FSM, this saves families hundreds of pounds each year.</p><p>We have
recently announced an additional £9.1 million will be spent ensuring the most disadvantaged
children in 11 local authority areas will benefit from healthy food and enriching
activities in the 2019 summer holidays. My department is also investing up to £26
million to the National Schools Breakfast Programme, to kick-start or improve breakfast
clubs in over 1,700 schools in the most disadvantaged areas of the country.</p><p>
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