Councils have welcomed plans to extend the free food voucher scheme to cover the Easter school holidays.
The Government has confirmed that children elgibiel for free school dinners will continue to receive food shopping vouchers over the Easter period.
Cllr Judith Blake, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: 'We are pleased that the Government has listened to our call to extend the food voucher scheme to cover the Easter holidays.
'No young person should have to go hungry and ensuring vulnerable pupils, including those on free school meals and with special educational needs and disabilities, are provided for is a top priority for councils and schools.'
The Government will also provide schools with extra funding to cover additional costs related to the coronavirus outbreak such as additional cleaning required due to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases and the cost of keeping schools open during holidays.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'Schools across the country are going above and beyond to support children during this hugely challenging period.
'We must support them every step of the way, which is why we are making extra funding available, on top of existing budgets, to any school facing unavoidable costs incurred due to the coronavirus crisis.'
