Government U Turns on summer FSM plans
The Government had originally released statements saying that FSM would not be funded over the summer holiday period. Despite the Department for Education repeatedly stating that they would not fund Free School Meals over the summer, the high profile campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford succeeded in changing the government’s mind this week. For many school leaders in disadvantaged areas this is a welcome announcement, as it supports families who are struggling more than ever due to furlough, or job losses as a result of the pandemic. Vouchers will be provided via the existing system run by Edenred and schools will be asked to put in orders before the start of the holidays.
Katriana Morely, CEO of Tees Valley Education Trust said ‘On behalf of the children and families within the Tees Valley Education community I serve, I am genuinely thrilled that the government have listened to Marcus Rashford and organisations like Schools North East about keeping the funding for FSM’s throughout this summer. It means that children, young people and their families can live in dignity and with a little security. Holiday hunger has always been an issue, which shouldn’t be the case; food is a basic human need and entitlement.
‘Tees Valley Education and I are proud to have supported this campaign and promise to keep working together with Schools North East and other organisations to eradicate holiday hunger and child poverty.’
Alternatively, some school leaders are concerned that this is another example of the Government placing extra responsibilities on schools to solve social problems. Furthermore, after this week’s u-turn on FSM and last week’s change to the aim of bringing all primary schools students back, the lack of clear and consistent direction from the government is continuing to cause confusion and undue stress to school leaders who are unable to plan for the foreseeable future.
While the announcement of more funding to support disadvantaged children is welcome this u-turn is the latest in a number of examples in which the Government has lacked a clear direction for school plans and how it is causing more problems for school leaders. School Leaders and Business Managers will now have to factor in time to process these large orders, through a system that has already caused many issues for staff and families. Some schools may have also already spent time arranging their own plans or provision, and while the funding is much appreciated, the delay in announcement means more lost time for these schools.