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1 May 2026

Tag: edenred

Free school meals voucher extension risked legal challenges

The government’s last-minute U-turn on providing free school meals vouchers over the summer holidays risked exposing it to legal challenges that would have a “medium to high” chance of success, internal documents reveal. However, Department for Education officials said that as the £191 million contract extension for Edenred – awarded without a tender – was […]

Edenred won third free school meals voucher contract without open tender

The Department for Education failed to run an open tender for the most recent free school meals voucher contract, rolling it over to supplier Edenred for the third time. Ministers were criticised for not running an open tender for the first two contracts handed to Edenred last year which rose from £78 million to £425 […]

Edenred is back: Free school meals voucher scheme to relaunch Monday

The government’s national free school meals voucher scheme will relaunch next Monday and be run by original supplier Edenred – with schools now given the freedom to provide food in whatever way they see fit. Ministers announced their intention to restart the voucher programme last week, but did not confirm details until today. The scheme […]

Ministers ‘knew all along’ free school meal vouchers would cover Easter

Ministers have been accused of knowing “all along” they would extend the national voucher scheme into the Easter holidays. But Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, did not announce the decision to continue providing the vouchers to families eligible for free school meals until April 4, the day after most schools broke up for the […]

Revealed: Edenred sued government over tender-free contract

The under-fire company that runs the national free meal voucher scheme took legal action against the government almost six years ago for issuing a contract to a rival without a tender. Schools Week revealed the government’s contract with Edenred – valued at up to £234 million – was awarded without going to tender under emergency […]

Coronavirus: Aldi joins national free school meal voucher scheme

The supermarket chain Aldi has joined the government’s national free school meals voucher scheme. Vicky Ford, the children’s minister, said in a written ministerial statement that the brand would be accepting the vouchers provided through the government’s supplier, Edenred. According to the firm, vouchers obtained through the scheme will be redeemable in Aldi stores from […]