Will the Cabinet Minister provide the projected cost of the expansion of free school meals to comprehensive school children who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit?
Projected costs of the expansion of free school meals to secondary school children who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit will vary according to levels of take up and local delivery context. On 22 June, as part of the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget for 2026-27, I announced an additional £15m to start enabling more secondary pupils in maintained schools to receive free school meals. The intention is to start with learners in Years 7 and 8 from September and we are working with partners on plans to deliver this effectively and at pace.