Cash payments in Fife for free school meals during holidays and COVID absences
Fife Council's community and housing services sub-committee has agreed to resume payments to parents outside of term time after the direct contributions were dropped at the start of the 2020/21 school term.
Prior to schools returning in August, vulnerable families were receiving a £11.50 weekly payment per child in lieu of free school meals - but this was dropped upon the return to school.
Councillors have also agreed to issue direct cash payments in place of school meals in the event that a child is sent home because of a coronavirus outbreak - an issue that has been overlooked until now.
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Hide AdThe Scottish Government is making a total of £10 million available to councils to tackle food insecurity outside of term time between now and Easter next year.
Fife will also have a £1.355m share of the Scottish Welfare Fund to draw on.
The new policies have been drawn up following local school outbreaks and efforts to feed children outside of term time across Fife.