LOWER-income families in Wales will be able to still receive free school meals even during half-terms and holidays following new Welsh Government funding.

A total of £11million will be provided to fund the support, in an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Arfon’s MS, Siân Gwenllian, said the extension of the provision will support families through the cost-of-living crisis, as energy and other costs are expected to rise during the winter.

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In April 2020, Wales became the first UK nation to guarantee free school meals for eligible families during the school holidays, with meals being provided during the school holidays since then.

Individual local authorities decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to families.

Free meals are being provided to whole classes of primary school children in Wales from this term.

This is part of the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru’s agreement to provide free school meals to all primary school children in Wales by 2024.

Ms Gwenllian said: “The cost-of-living crisis is deepening, and families are very worried about the weeks and months ahead.

“It’s vital that we do as much as we can to support families at this time, especially those most severely affected by rising costs.

“As well as our joint commitment to ensure all primary children receive a school meal for free, the extended support will make a real difference to families with lower incomes during the school holidays.

“The Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru is delivering much needed support for families in Bangor and across Wales to ensure children and young people get the best start in life.”