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<p>Provision for free school meals is ordinarily term time only. However, owing to
the COVID-19 outbreak, the government fully understands that children and parents
face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this, we will
be providing additional funding for a Covid Summer Food Fund which will enable children
who are eligible for free school meals to receive food vouchers covering the 6-week
holiday period. This is a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances of
the outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>The government has made significant wider support available
for children and families at this time. On 10 June, my right hon. Friend, the Prime
Minister, confirmed an additional £63 million to be distributed to local authorities
in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due
to COVID-19. In addition, the government has introduced an uplift to Universal Credit
and Working Tax Credit by around £1,000 a year for the next 12 months as part of an
injection of over £6.5 billion by the government into the welfare system.</p><p> </p><p>Additional
support has been pledged by various departments across government with the Department
for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announcing the provision of £16 million for food support through
charities, including FareShare and WRAP. DEFRA have also issued 2 million food packages
to those who are shielding.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education’s Holiday Activities
and Food programme ensures that thousands of disadvantaged children have access to
enriching activities and nutritious healthy meals over the summer, and will be backed
by £9 million this year.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, the government has supported families
to cope with the impact of COVID-19 by introducing a range of support measures, including
the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
Support has also been provided to help families pay their rent or mortgage, access
sick pay, and delay tax payments.</p><p> </p><p>In relation to free school meals,
this response applies to educational settings in England only. Education is a devolved
matter and it will be for each administration to determine the actions they wish to
take.</p>
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