Families in Richmond are being urged to check if they're entitled to free school meals, after a government U-turn means that the scheme will now be funded over the summer holidays.

The scheme provides vulnerable and low-income families with vital vouchers for food over the traditional six-week summer break.

With the coronavirus pandemic having had a massive effect on employment, it is expected that more families will be eligible to claim for free school meals than before.

A lifeline for many families across Richmond

The chair of the Richmond Council's Education and Children's Services Committee, Cllr Penny Frost, said: "I am delighted that the government has seen sense and decided to fund free school meals over this year's summer holiday.

"As a result of the pandemic, more people will be out of work, more and more people will be claiming Universal Credit and therefore free school meals will be ever-more relevant.

"This scheme is a vital lifeline for so many families across our borough and will be a relief to many who were facing up a very fiscally challenging six weeks.

"I'd strongly urge all families whose financial circumstances have been affected by the pandemic to check if they are eligible for the scheme."

Check if your child qualifies

A child will be entitled to free school meals this summer if their parent or carer is in receipt of any of the following.

- Universal Credit – provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods

- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

- Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by HMRC, that does not exceed £16,190)