Westminster controversially voted against feeding more than 1.4 million children during school breaks, but the Welsh Government has announced plans to provide free school meals for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021.
Despite MPs in Westminster rejecting Marcus Rashford’s bid to extend free school meals over half term, the local MP for Bangor, Hywel Williams, voted for providing free school meals to 1.4 million children.
The bid would have provided disadvantaged children with a £15 a week food voucher, but it was defeated by 322 votes to 261 – with a majority of 61.
A lot have voiced their outrage, but readers should be aware that Welsh children will be provided with free school meals for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021, following a Welsh Government announcement.
More than 75,000 pupils aged between 5 and 15 in Wales are eligible for free school meals across Wales, and the Education Minister in the Senedd, Kirsty Williams MS says she hopes it provides, ‘some reassurance in these times of uncertainty’.
Manchester United player Marcus Rashford, who has campaigned against food poverty, welcomed the plan for Wales, saying the plan would protect “the most vulnerable children across the country”.
MP Hywel Williams reacted to the vote in Westminster: “I’m proud to have voted for the motion, along with my Plaid Cymru colleagues.
“Sadly the Motion was defeated, thanks to the Tories.
“The situation shows clearly how Wales doing things our own way can benefit our people.”
Siân Gwenllian, Arfon’s representative in the Senedd echoed her colleague’s comments. She said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has time and time again showed the benefits of devolution for the wellbeing of Welsh people, and in this particular instance, to Welsh children.
“The callous actions of Westminster is disheartening, but I’m glad that Welsh children won’t be going without food on the table.”
