Influencing Opportunity (4) – Welsh Government Free School Meals Open Consultation

As part of our commitment to influencing and engaging, we share the information below with you.

If you believe this is a priority area for further discussion at one of DVSC’s network meetings or Membership Forum do let us know. In the meantime, please read on, and make your views known

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Welsh Government Free School Meals Open Consultation

Following the introduction of Universal Credit, the Welsh Government needs to revise eligibility criteria for free school meals in Wales and are consulting on their proposals. StartFragmentWelsh Government are proposing to introduce an earned income threshold of £7,400 for Universal Credit claimants who want to claim free school meals for their children. They are also proposing transitional protection for families affected by the change.

Welsh Government has an open consultation on the proposed eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM). The link below is direct to the consultation document and the feedback form.

Lesley Powell, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Denbighshire, and the network lead for tackling poverty and social exclusion for DVSC's Third Sector Influencing Group notes: "The financial impact of entitlement to Free School Meals is significant for families and the 3rd sector is well positioned to feed in to this consultation".

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Information about the consultation is here - https://beta.gov.wales/eligibility-free-school-meals