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<p>Schools have a duty to provide Free School Meals (FSM) for registered pupils, either
on school premises or at any other place where education is being provided. If the
school is closed due to extreme weather and/or extenuating circumstances, and education
is not being provided for pupils elsewhere, then the school would not be expected
to provide free school meals.</p><p>Where meals are provided, our guidance advises
schools to work with their school catering team or food provider to provide good quality
lunch parcels. Where this is not practicable, schools may make local arrangements
to supply vouchers.</p><p>The Department does not keep records of which schools make
meal or voucher provision during periods of closure, nor the number of pupils supported
under such arrangements.</p><p>Around 1.9 million pupils are claiming FSM. Together
with a further 1.25 million infants supported through UIFSM policy, over one third
of school children are now provided with a free meal, at a cost of over £1 billion
a year. The department currently has generous protections in place, ensuring that
eligible pupils keep their FSM entitlement even if their household circumstances improve.</p><p>
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