7. Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Update on Free School Meals

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:54 pm on 20 September 2022.

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Photo of Luke Fletcher Luke Fletcher Plaid Cymru 5:54, 20 September 2022

For me, knowing now, especially now given the cost-of-living crisis, that free school meals will be universal in primary schools is a moment of reflection, a moment to remember my own experiences in school, and a moment to remember as well the long battle to get to this point in the first place. I am proud that Plaid Cymru has never given up on this policy.

Looking at the current situation, we've heard from a number of colleagues today—Heledd Fychan, Laura Anne Jones, Sarah Murphy—that a number of councils are struggling to roll out free school meals and don't believe they'll meet the deadline the Welsh Government has set. Of course, this is a mammoth task and I'm very sympathetic with this. Looking close to home, Bridgend is one of those councils; the responsible cabinet member saying that some schools don't have the facilities. So, I think it's important the Welsh Government supports those councils as much as possible. I was wondering if the Minister could outline what support the Welsh Government has provided to councils like Bridgend so far, and what conversations has he had specifically with Bridgend County Borough Council. Within the county, we have some of the most deprived communities not just in Wales but in all of the UK, and it's important that we work to ensure that the council rolls out free school meals as soon as possible, and that they are fully supported by Welsh Government in doing so.