Elin Jones calls for free school meals for primary pupils

PLAID CYMRU has vowed to make free school meals for all primary-aged children in Wales a priority if it wins the upcoming Senedd elections, held on 6 May, 2021.

Plaid Cymru says that free schools meals are failing to reach many of those who need them most in Wales and that free school meals to all primary children using quality Welsh produce is the answer to this problem.

The claim is supported by the Child Poverty Action Group, which found that half of the children in poverty in Wales are missing out on free school meals – over 70,000 children.

The Labour Welsh Government’s own review into Child Poverty (obtained by Plaid Cymru through an FOI) has come to the same conclusion.

The current Labour Welsh Government’s assessment of the cost of expanding free school meals to all children in families in receipt of Universal Credit calculates a figure between £33 – 101 million.

However, there is almost £689 million unallocated in the draft budget for next year.

Ceredigion Senedd candidate, Elin Jones, said: “The benefits of a free school meal are about more than just stopping a child go hungry.

“We know that a regular, nutritious meal can improve a child’s performance at school, and their health overall, and offset some of the injustices and inequalities caused by poverty, especially in a rural area.

“The current system is not fair, and must be sorted out, and so a Plaid Cymru government will make sure no child goes hungry.

“Plaid Cymru would also overhaul the procurement process to allow for locally sourced Welsh produce to be used in our schools.”