MORE than 2,000 school children in the Neath Port Talbot Council area will receive free school meals when they go back to school in September.

The 2,150 children in years five and six – which will include pupils in the Amman Valley areas of Tairgwaith, Brynamman, Gwuan Cae Gurwen, and in Pontardawe, Cwmlynfell and Ystalyfera – will be given free school meals automatically when they return to school after the summer holidays.

This will happen without parents needing to apply but parents who receive benefits which allow their children to have free school meals are still encouraged to register for free school meals if they haven’t already done so, as it could allow them to get more support through a Schools Essentials Grant.

The rollout of free school meals to all primary school pupils is part of the Welsh Government’s plan for all primary school pupils to receive free school meals by 2024.

Neath Port Talbot began the roll out to reception children in September 2022, years one and two that November and years three and four in April 2023. The council states that their rollout of the scheme to years five and six at the start of the new school year this September puts them a year ahead of the Welsh Government’s deadline.

Councillor Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for education and early years, said: “The Welsh Government's Free School Meal pledge is more important than ever during the current cost of living crisis.

“I am pleased that we are able to continue the rollout ahead of schedule, and I am sure this announcement will be welcomed by many parents and carers who are struggling at the moment.”

The council has also set aside £2million for a hardship relief scheme which is being delivered with Warm Wales and will run for 18 months, with hundreds already benefitting from the scheme, with less pressure on them as the cost-of-living continues to rise.

There are also a number of schools taking part in the Summer of Fun programme where they offer a range of activities for those taking part, easing the pressure on families and also providing meals to those involved and every child and young person registered on the Summer of Fun programme gets a £30 food box.