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<p>We recognise that extended school and college restrictions have had a substantial
impact on children and young people’s education and we are committed to helping pupils
catch up as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>The department commissioned Renaissance
Learning to provide a baseline assessment of lost learning for pupils in schools in
England and monitor progress over the course of the 2020/21 academic year. The latest
interim findings from this research were published on 4 June: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-progress-in-the-2020-to-2021-academic-year-interim-report"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupils-progress-in-the-2020-to-2021-academic-year-interim-report</a>.</p><p>Since
June 2020, we have announced more than £3 billion to support education recovery, including
over £950 million flexible funding to schools and £1.5 billion for a national tutoring
revolution. This will have a material impact in closing gaps that have emerged.</p><p>Recovery
programmes have been designed to allow early years, school, and college leaders the
flexibility to support those pupils most in need. This includes the most disadvantaged
and will expand our reforms in two areas where the evidence is clear that our investment
will have a significant impact for disadvantaged children - high quality tutoring
and great teaching.</p><p>We have provided around £450 million worth of food vouchers
to families whilst schools were largely closed. Now schools are open again, school
food provision has returned to typical delivery arrangements, with meals being provided
free of charge to eligible pupils at school. If pupils who are eligible for benefits-related
free school meals are required to stay at home due to COVID-19, schools should continue
to work with their school catering team or food provider to offer a good quality lunch
parcel.</p><p>Throughout 2021 we are investing up to £220 million in our holiday activities
and food programme. Taking place in schools and community venues across the country,
delivery began at Easter, has run across the summer and will run in the Christmas
holidays. It supports disadvantaged pupils and their families with enriching activities,
providing them with healthy food, helping them to learn new things and supporting
socialisation and well-being. We are also further investing with £24 million in the
National Breakfast Club programme, providing breakfast clubs in schools in disadvantaged
areas.</p><p>Beyond this, the Department for Work and Pension has provided £429 million
through the Covid Local Support Grant. This is being run by local authorities in England
to support the hardest hit families and individuals with food and essential utility
costs.</p>
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