CHILDREN who are eligible for free school meals can now claim weekly shopping vouchers and have food delivered to their doorsteps.
Redditch schools will provide every eligible child with a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 to spend at supermarkets.
The Department for Education began rolling out the scheme for the first time on Tuesday.
Schools will continue to provide meals for collection or delivery but if this is not possible the schools will send vouchers to families by email or as a gift-card for those without internet access.
These vouchers can then be spent in store at most big supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S.
Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said: “This is welcome and very reassuring news for many families across Redditch and I encourage those eligible for the scheme to make good use of it to ensure all children get healthy nutritious meals every day.”
You can check if you’re eligible for free school meals by visiting http://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
