The Government’s spending review delivered some good news for hard-pressed families across Hastings with the announcement of an expansion of the free school meals and free breakfast clubs programmes. The plans will begin at the start of the school year in September 2026 when children whose parents earn over £7,400 but qualify for and claim Universal Credit will become eligible for free school meals. It is anticipated that as a direct result of covering the cost of school meals, parents will save up to £500 each year.

Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye and the Villages, welcomed the announcement saying it would “benefit some 5,520 children across the town, who would now receive a free nutritious meal every school day”. She added it would set these children up to learn and help improve their levels of concentration and wellbeing.


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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsHastings and Rye and the Villages,Helena Dollimore,Universal CreditThe Government’s spending review delivered some good news for hard-pressed families across Hastings with the announcement of an expansion of the free school meals and free breakfast clubs programmes. The plans will begin at the start of the school year in September 2026 when children whose parents earn over £7,400...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper