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Schools to offer vouchers instead of food parcels in England following “disgraceful” free school meals row

Schools to offer vouchers instead of food parcels in England following “disgraceful” free school meals row

Some local authorities have been using food parcels instead of vouchers to provide free school meals for eligible children in England while schools are closed during lockdown. A number of parents shared pictures of the contents of some parcels, prompting campaigners to ask questions of the government and contractors. Education secretary Gavin Williamson says that schools will be able to offer vouchers “from Monday.” Boris Johnson is set to conduct a “full review” into the supply chain after Marcus Rashford shared images of the ‘unacceptable’ sized food hampers; Rashford successfully campaigned for families eligible for free school meals to receive food parcels or vouchers while schools are shut under national lockdown in England earlier in 2020.