Reception children in Wrexham to receive free school meals from September

Local Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the news most children in Reception classes in Wrexham will begin to receive free school meals from September.

At the end of last year, the Welsh Labour Government committed to offering free school meals to every primary school pupil in the Wales by 2024, as part of its deal with Plaid Cymru.

With the cost-of-living crisis escalating, the Welsh Government is working with local authorities to implement the scheme as quickly as possible.

Last month it was confirmed children in Reception class will begin to receive free school meals from as early as September.

Ultimately, more than 272,000 primary school pupils across the country are expected to get free lunches and a total of £225m has been set aside to ensure the scheme is delivered over the next three years.

By April 2023, the majority of children in Years 1 and 2 will also start receiving free school meals, with local authorities given the flexibility, support and funding to start delivering free school meals to those in Years 1 and 2 earlier than April if they can.

Wrexham’s MS Lesley Griffiths said: “No child should ever go hungry.  We are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis and households in Wrexham are feeling the squeeze.

“The Welsh Government is doing everything in its power to address the issues and I have no doubt the extension of the free school meals programme, which is just one of several measures being taken to support people through this difficult time, will make a tangible difference to local children and families.”