Coronavirus: Children eligible for free school meals to get supermarket vouchers over Easter

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Children in England who qualify for free school meals will continue receiving supermarket vouchers throughout the Easter holidays, the government has announced, following pressure from campaigners. “For children eligible for free school meals, vouchers will be available through the holidays to support household income. We are asking the Department for Education to guarantee and underwrite the full costs of providing FSM during the Easter holidays to all eligible children.” Chef Jamie Oliver, a campaigner for better school meals, also urged the government to provide all children eligible for FSM with the £15 weekly vouchers during the holidays. “The government is doing the right thing in stepping forward and making sure all children can continue to access the food they need.” Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Many struggling families will be finding it even harder than normal to make ends meet in the current emergency and with children at home for a long period.