47 h. ago Thousands more children will get free school meals thanks to rule change

Families previously had to apply for free school meals - but now, the extra help will be awarded to eligible children automatically in certain areas

Politics

54 h. ago ‘If there’s a free alternative, I’ll eat healthily’: how Sweden devised brilliant school meals

A pilot scheme where students eat nutritious breakfasts using donated surplus food builds on the ‘folkhem’ welfare model to boost health and sustainabilityStudents at Mariebergsskolan, a secondary school in Karlstad, Sweden, make their way to the canteen to grab a juice shot. This morning’s options include ginger and lemon, apple, golden milk, lemon and mint, or strawberry and orange. There’s also the choice of overnight oats with caramelised milk.It’s just after 9am and the space is usually empty, but thanks to a project launched in 2018 by Vinnova, Sweden’s national innovation agency, students are starting their day with a boost from the energy bar. All the ingredients are donated by local supermarkets which are giving away surplus fruit and vegetables to minimise food waste. Continue reading...

Science

2 d. ago Thousands of more kids to get free school meals under huge rule change

THOUSANDS of more kids will get free school meals thanks to a huge rule change. Devon County Council and Torbay Council now automatically give the meals to eligible families without the need to apply. It means that about 1,300 pupils who were entitled to free school meals but not receiving them previously - are now...

Politics

2 w. ago Calls for free school meals change as UK families struggle to afford food

Families say they have been forced to cut back on healthy eating as the cost of living continues to squeeze budgets. The Food Foundation is now urging the government to do more to tackle food poverty

Society

2 w. ago Cost of upgrading kitchens so every primary pupil gets a free school meal soars in Welsh city

'It's absolutely the right thing to do,' says the leader of Swansea council

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Money runs out quickly’: Nearly 300,000 disadvantaged young children set to miss out on free meals

Exclusive: Experts warns Labour’s free school meal expansion will skip over a key cohort of disadvantaged children

Politics

3 w. ago Exactly who is eligible for free school meals as 500,000 more kids meet criteria

The free school meals scheme is set for a significant change as the eligibility criteria is expanded to help more than 500,000 children - here's exactly who is able to get the benefit, and the rules you need to know

Politics

3 w. ago Major warning over free school meal expansion as kids at risk of missing out

Researchers at the Education Policy Institute called for a major review of the system to ensure the Government’s expansion of free hot lunches is implemented as intended

Events