Wales Completes Roll-Out of Free School Meals

Wales has officially become the first nation in the UK to provide free school meals to all primary school pupils, with the rollout now complete for children up to Year 6. This initiative, launched by the Welsh Government in 2021, aims to combat child poverty and has already served nearly 30 million meals, benefiting an additional 176,000 students. Education officials stress that free meals will help reduce health inequalities, enhance social skills, and improve academic performance. However, concerns about portion sizes have arisen, prompting a review of the current regulations governing school meals to ensure children receive adequate nutrition. The Welsh Government encourages local sourcing of food to support the initiative further. This landmark program is celebrated as a significant step towards ensuring no child goes hungry during school hours.