An additional 2,600 pupils attending primary schools in Swansea are now able to enjoy free school meals after the offer was extended to all Year Three pupils at the start of this term.
It means around 10,000 in the city are now eligible as free meals were already on offer to all Reception, Year One and Year Two pupils.
The Welsh Government has made a commitment for every primary school pupil to receive a free school meal by 2024 and Swansea Council is working to achieve this target.
In Swansea more than £4m is being invested in improving school kitchens and updating equipment so that the target can be met.
Council Cabinet Member for Education and Learning, Robert Smith, said: “The cost of living crisis means the Welsh Government’s Free School Meal pledge is more important than ever and I’m grateful to ministers for the funding that is being provided to enable us to deliver this.
“I’m sure many families with pupils in Year Three will welcome the extension of the offer at the start of this term and we are working to ensure that we meet the Welsh Government target so that by next year all primary school pupils will be able to enjoy a free school meal.
“We will be updating parents and carers as soon as we are in a position to include further year groups once the necessary infrastructure is in place.”
