Josh MacAlister MP is urging families across West Cumbria to check whether their children will benefit from the Government’s major expansion of free school meals this September.
From the new school year, about 2,110 more children across north and west Cumbria will become eligible for free school meals as part of Labour’s plans to give children the best possible start in life and ease pressure on household budgets.
Nationally, around half a million additional children will benefit from the change, which could save families around £500 per child each year.
Cumberland Council will open applications very shortly, and Josh is encouraging parents and carers to check whether they are eligible and make sure they do not miss out.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, 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.”
The expansion is part of a wider package of measures to reduce the cost of raising a family and tackle child poverty, alongside the expansion of universal free breakfast clubs – now at 17 local schools – action to bring down the cost of school uniforms, 30 hours of funded childcare and changes to the two-child limit.
Josh MacAlister MP 