More pupils to get free meals

Russell Steele • Published 27 Jun 2009 14:00

INVERCLYDE Council has extended entitlement to its free school meals and clothing grants initiative.

The council says the move will benefit more than 600 pupils and their families at the start of the new academic year.

Currently parents can claim free school meals and clothing grants for their children if they are receiving benefits such as Income Support or Jobseeker"s Allowance - and where their income is less than £16,040.

Last year 2,331 children qualified for free school meals and clothing grants in Inverclyde.

The fresh move to increase eligibility will now allow parents or carers who are in receipt of maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit to qualify for help.

Councillor Iain McKenzie, who chairs the council"s education and lifelong learning committee, said: 'It is no secret Inverclyde has areas of deprivation where families struggle to get by on limited incomes. That is why we took the free school meals scheme a step further by giving a clothing grant to every child as well. By expanding the criteria we think another 600 plus pupils will benefit.'

Mr McKenzie said the free school meals and clothing grants would now be provided to pupils at all of Inverclyde"s schools and special schools as well as young people sent by Inverclyde Council to establishments outside the area.

He added: 'Extending entitlement to free school meals will allow a significant number of children from less well off families to receive a free, nutritious meal at lunchtime.

'The clothing grant will allow parents and carers to kit their kids out for the new term, and in many cases, new school without sleepless nights over the summer holidays worrying about where the money will come from.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 27 Jun 09

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