Southwark Council to pay for free school meals over half-term

23 October 2020

Southwark Council has announced it will pay for free school meals for children in its schools over half term. The Coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a sharp increase in child poverty and without school dinners many children would have been left hungry over the holidays.

Southwark Council will reallocate funds accordingly so that no child in Southwark will go hungry over half term*. Since 2010 Southwark Council has offered free school meals to every primary school child during term time.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council said: “We will fund school meals this half term. It’s the decision that the Government should have made yesterday, but they have failed so we are stepping up. We want to end child poverty and will do all that we can to keep our families strong.” 

Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “We are joining forces with Marcus Rashford and other cash-strapped councils across London to demand this government supports families through this dreadful pandemic and reinstate free school meals over the holiday period.”

*Any child in Southwark who meets the national criteria for free school meals will be eligible for the scheme.

Page last updated: 23 October 2020