Charity boss says blaming care sector for repeated government mistakes is unacceptable
9.30am BST
Charities and politicians have raised concerns that children whose parents lose their jobs over the summer holidays won’t be able to access the free school meal voucher scheme.
Schools must order the vouchers at least one week before the school terms ends. In a written answer to a PMQ by Labour, the government said that if a school receives a claim for an eligible child during the final week before the school’s summer holidays, it will be possible for the school to place an ‘exceptional order’ for that child.
Many more people could sadly lose their jobs over the summer holidays as the economic impact of Covid-19 starts to bite, and we are concerned that their children won’t be able to access free school meal support.
Most schools are under huge pressure to get applications in for the Covid Summer Food Fund before the arbitrary deadline of 10th July. The fact that the guidance on eligibility was incorrect for nearly a full week has not helped, and there are fears that some children could miss out as a result of poor communication.
9.02am BST
Former chancellor Philip Hammond has said his successor must be prepared to let some businesses fail.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to announce fiscal measures designed to aid the UK’s economic recovery after Covid-19 on Wednesday.
Continue reading…Charity boss says blaming care sector for repeated government mistakes is unacceptableFury as PM accuses care homes over high death tollGlobal coronavirus updates – live 9.30am BSTCharities and politicians have raised concerns that children whose parents lose their jobs over the summer holidays won’t be able to access the free school meal voucher scheme. Schools must order the vouchers at least one week before the school terms ends. In a written answer to a PMQ by Labour, the government said that if a school receives a claim for an eligible child during the final week before the school’s summer holidays, it will be possible for the school to place an ‘exceptional order’ for that child. Many more people could sadly lose their jobs over the summer holidays as the economic impact of Covid-19 starts to bite, and we are concerned that their children won’t be able to access free school meal support.Most schools are under huge pressure to get applications in for the Covid Summer Food Fund before the arbitrary deadline of 10th July. The fact that the guidance on eligibility was incorrect for nearly a full week has not helped, and there are fears that some children could miss out as a result of poor communication. 9.02am BSTFormer chancellor Philip Hammond has said his successor must be prepared to let some businesses fail.Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to announce fiscal measures designed to aid the UK’s economic recovery after Covid-19 on Wednesday. Continue reading…