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<p>The Department for Education consulted with a number of local authorities and schools
in the autumn, in order to assess the potential capital needs to meet the new universal
infant free school meal (UIFSM) entitlement. Circumstances differ between schools,
and between authorities, but those discussions gave us an assessment of the range
of likely costs.</p><p>Based on those discussions, we believe the £150 million of
capital funding announced last December is an appropriate figure to support schools
and authorities in meeting the new UIFSM entitlement. We know that many schools and
authorities are still in the process of considering the best way of delivering this.
That is why we are supplementing this capital support with the package of implementation
support measures announced on 6 March, in order to offer advice and guidance to schools
and local authorities that need assistance in implementing the policy.</p>
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