vouchers | Schools Week

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 […]

How the government’s free school meals voucher scheme is leaving children without food

“I’ve got nothing. No milk, no bread, no food, nothing.” That was the voicemail message a school received from a sobbing parent who had been waiting two weeks for her free school meal vouchers to arrive. My shopping costs have gone up by £30-£40 a week with the children home. These vouchers are needed…it’s making […]

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 […]