Free School Meals

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:47 pm on 26 January 2022.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 2:47, 26 January 2022

I speak as someone who has long supported free school meals in state primary schools, not just to support local farmers, but, more importantly to me, to improve the health of children and improve educational attainment. Hungry children do not perform very well. But my question is: what is the estimated capital spend necessary to increase capacity of school kitchens and dining halls? And what is the estimated number of additional kitchen staff that will be needed? I know this won't all happen in one year, but, if you hope to do it over the next four years, how much are you talking about?