The Department of Education has launched a consultation on the options considered as part of the review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants.  This consultation looks at a number of options and has modelled the potential impact of each option in terms of the number of extra pupils that could benefit and the associated additional costs.  If you can contribute to this consultation in any way please get in touch with Siobhán at policy@wsn.org.uk particularly around possible case studies around the impacts for self-employed people (including farmers) who are so impacted by the interactions between eligibility for Universal Credit and entitlement to this important help.

 

The deadline for comments is Friday 14^th February 2025 and the consultation is available on the Department of Education website here:

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/review-free-school-meals-and-uniform-grant-eligibility-criteria