No plans for Northampton Borough Council to provide free school meals for children during half term

There are no plans for eligible children in Northampton to receive free school meals from the council during half-term, its leader said yesterday (Friday, October 23).

Numerous local authorities across the country have announced they will step in following the government's decision not to supply the vouchers outside of term time.

Councils, businesses and charities have been rallying around footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign but Northampton Borough Council will not be one of them.

Conservative council leader Jonathan Nunn told a virtual press conference: "With public money, it is disappointing to not see something provided that should be state-provided.

"In Northampton, it's amazing how many charities and businesses do really important things and this is an example of that.

"In an ideal world if you qualify for that then you should be covered and I'm grateful for charities that are stepping in.

"We've considered it as a council but the costs would be prohibitive for the council to fund it.

"It's important for people who have a need that doesn't switch off during half-term to get the help they need.

"We don't currently have a plan to lobby the government so that will probably stay as it is.

"We're happy for others to step in and help those who need that help but we've got to be careful to change the balance of that.

"I see things every day that I would like to support that are wonderful things but this may be one of those things we cannot do but it's certainly thought-provoking."

Northampton North and South MPs, Michael Ellis and Andrew Lewer, voted against Labour's motion to offer free school meals during holidays until 2021 on Wednesday.

The scheme currently only provides meals during term-time but was extended to the summer holidays following Mr Rashford's appeal.

Northamptonshire County Council has received 16,770 eligible claims for free school meals, as of October 16.

On the same date last year, there were 13,536 eligible claims - meaning the number of children who need support to eat has jumped by 24 per cent over the course of the pandemic.

Birmingham, Staffordshire and Kensington and Chelsea councils have said they will provide meals during half-term while several others have announced similar schemes as well as restaurants, cafes and charities across Northampton.