Provide pupils eligible for Free School Meals with a weekly food voucher.

Rejected 13 signatures

What the petition asks

Food parcels for children eligible for Free School Meals are inconsistent, not best value for money and provide limited variety or choice. The government should reintroduce either weekly or fortnightly vouchers for families to redeem in shops to buy food as a matter of urgency.

Families are already under extreme pressure - reduced incomes, working from home, limited contact with wider family and friends, supporting children learning remotely etc. Food parcels require families to come to school to collect (somewhat defeating the point of closing schools to many pupils to reduce the spread of Covid19). Limited choice in parcels increases food waste. Vouchers can be emailed directly and spent on food, which can benefit the whole family.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

The national voucher scheme to provide meals to children eligible for free school meals during lockdown reopened on Monday 18th January. Schools are able to claim back support provided through lunch parcels or locally arranged vouchers since 4th January from the Department for Education.

See:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools#national-voucher-scheme

You might like to sign the following petition:
Only close schools in lockdown if free school meals vouchers are available
Make free school meals vouchers available as soon as schools close in lockdowns

Timeline

12 Jan 2021	Petition opened for signatures
21 Jan 2021	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 13

Status Rejected

Rejected 21 Jan 2021

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