More children can now enjoy school meals for free in Wolverhampton for another year.
Wolverhampton City Council has extended its free school pilot for families receiving working tax credit for a third year.
The pilot was due to conclude at the end of last term but, thanks to funding from Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust, this will continue for a third academic year.
This comes as a boost for families, during the current difficult economic climate, which will allow them to make savings of up to £400.
The council is now encouraging parents who may be eligible for the scheme to sign up and reap the benefits of the project in its last year.
Earlier this month, the scheme was shortlisted in the Public/Public Sector Partnership Working category in the prestigious Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Awards.
Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “We are delighted that this fantastic and very important initiative was extended for a third year.
“Through this project, we have ensured that thousands of youngsters from families that cannot afford free school meals but fell outside the Government’s normal criteria have had access to nutritious food.”
Councillor Bob Jones, Wolverhampton City Council Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “This excellent scheme has demonstrated partnership working at its best with the council, Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust and other agencies combining to deliver a hugely successful scheme.
“We also raised the profile of school meals and saw a positive response through an increase in uptake. We are urging everyone who is eligible to sign up.”
Dr Adrian Phillips, Director of Public Health said “In these hard times it’s great that we can offer a really good, healthy but more importantly free choice to children and young children whose parents are receiving working tax credits.”
