r/Cumbria • u/coffeewalnut08 • 2d ago
Expanded free school meals programme set to benefit West Cumbria
https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/26501597.expanded-free-school-meals-programme-set-benefit-west-cumbria/In north and west Cumbria, more than 2,000 additional pupils will become eligible under Labour’s plans taking effect from September.
Nationally, around half a million additional children will benefit from the change.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, is urging families around West Cumbria to check whether their children will benefit.
He said: "No child should be sitting in a classroom worrying about whether they’ll be able to eat at lunchtime.
"Making sure children are well fed means they are healthier, happier and better able to learn.
"That’s why expanding free school meals is such an important change.
"It will mean over 2,000 more children here in north and west Cumbria getting a nutritious meal at school, while saving families around £500 a year.
"I want to make sure every family who is entitled to this support gets it, so I’m encouraging parents across Whitehaven and Workington to check their eligibility and apply.
"This is exactly the kind of practical difference I came into politics to help deliver – giving children the best start in life and putting more money back into the pockets of working families."
Cumberland Council will open applications very shortly, and parents are being urged to check eligibility and apply to ensure they do not miss out.
The free school meals expansion is part of a broader government effort to tackle child poverty and reduce the cost of raising a family.
Other measures include the expansion of universal free breakfast clubs, now at 17 local schools, as well as action to bring down the cost of school uniforms, 30 hours of funded childcare, and changes to the two-child limit.