Sheffield MP wants 'urgent review' of free school meal vouchers scheme

Under Government plans, the parents of children who would normally receive a free school meal have been given weekly shopping vouchers worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to coronavirus.

When introducing the scheme, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “No child should go hungry as a result of the measures introduced to keep people at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

But the logistics of the initiative have been criticised in an open letter to Mr Williamson, which was written by Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh and signed by Clive Betts, Labour MP for Sheffield South East.

Mr Betts said: “It is unbelievable that the scheme’s vouchers are not redeemable at all supermarkets, being accepted at Marks and Spencer and Waitrose, but not at Aldi, Lidl or the Co-op. These are the supermarkets found in our local areas, where more can be bought for less.

“In its current state, the scheme is not fit for purpose, as it not safeguarding the vulnerable who need help the most.”

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has also signed the letter.

Mr Betts added: “One third of schools are unregistered, resulting in hundreds of thousands of children missing out.

“It has also come to light that receipt of vouchers is dependent on having internet access and an email address, which not all families have.”

The letter said free school meals are an “essential lifeline” for “countless” families in Mr Betts’ and Mr Blomfield’s constituencies, among others.

Mr Betts said there are “clearly huge problems with the process”.

At the launch of the scheme, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), said: “There may be some kinks to work out of the scheme, especially as it has been developed at pace, but at least there is some certainty available now.

“Many schools had already developed their own schemes and local solutions.”