Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Welsh Government should consider doubling FSM threshold
Welsh Assembly Members have said that the earnings threshold for families entitled to free school meals should double in 2020 if the Welsh Government can afford it.
The children of parents who receive universal credit and earn less than £7,400 currently qualify for free school meals, but assembly members say that ministers should consider increasing the limit to £14,000 next September.
Scotland and England have a similar earnings threshold to Wales when it comes to free school meals, but the Trussell Trust food bank charity said Wales should match Northern Ireland where the threshold is £14,000. Almost half of people in Wales receive some sort of benefit, under a system that is largely controlled from Westminster.
John Griffiths AM, committee chairman, said: "We repeatedly hear that benefits are not enough to cover basic and essential household costs, and the system does not treat people with dignity, fairness or compassion. The human cost of these failures is unacceptable, in one of the world's largest national economies.
"Whilst recommending that Welsh Government explore opportunities to devolve more control of benefits to Wales, our recommendations emphasise what can be done now, within the current settlement, and in the longer term."
Latest News
19/04/2024 - 11:17
Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has been charged with embezzlement in an investigation into SNP finances.
19/04/2024 - 10:55
The Scottish Government has announced a new suite of climate action measures aimed at tackling climate change.
18/04/2024 - 10:19
Pensioners in five Scottish local authorities will be the first to be eligible for a new disability benefit (subject to parliamentary approval of r
18/04/2024 - 09:41
Residents and visitors to Brecon in Wales recently took part in the world's first full-town digital deposit return scheme.
17/04/2024 - 11:58
Applications have opened for a £1.3 million competition to 'transform the transport sector, grow the economy and inspire innovation'.
Company Focus
Just Lanyards is a subsidiary name of Gifts 2 Impress Limited, who have been trading for over 25 years, we therefore pride ourselves in having endless experience covering all aspects of the promotional merchandise industry.
Event Diary
UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.
The multi-award-winning UK Construction Week (UKCW), is the UK’s biggest trade event for the built environment that connects the whole supply chain to be the catalyst for growth and positive change in the industry.
Supplier Profiles
At GeoEnergy Design, we're on a mission to disrupt the traditional way heating and cooling ha
Latest Features
Professor Harith Alani, director of the Knowledge Management Institute at the Open University explains how AI can be used for good and bad.
Alex Lawrence, head of health & social care, techUK sets out techUK’s Five Point Plan for CareTech.
