Free School Meals No Recourse to Public Funds 2020-11-23
2020-11-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from the government's review on extending free school meal provision to children of families who are not eligible for public support due to immigration status. This group includes over 100,000 individuals according to the Children's Society.
What progress have the Government made in reviewing the extension of free school meals provision to children from families with no recourse to public funds? The policy has forced overstretched schools, charities and councils like Southwark to bear the burden. The Minister mentioned cross-Government talks but what specific representations have been made to the Home Office?
The Government remain committed to free school meals and extended eligibility during the pandemic. The new £170 million covid winter grant scheme targets hardest-to-help families, providing food support over holidays. Families with no recourse to public funds may receive Home Office support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and local authorities must safeguard children's welfare regardless of immigration status under section 17 of the Children Act 1989.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific representations made to the Home Office were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the government's policy on free school meals that has left schools, charities, and councils struggling due to the hostile environment leaving over 100,000 individuals without support.
It is Government policy forcing overstretched schools, charities and councils like Southwark to bear the burden of a hostile environment which leaves over 100,000 with no recourse to public funds. The Minister says that there are cross-Government talks but what specific representations have been made to the Home Office to end this scandal?
Our new £170 million covid winter grant scheme targets hardest-to-help families and individuals, providing food for children during holidays. Some families with no recourse to public funds receive Home Office support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, while local authorities must safeguard and promote welfare of children regardless of immigration status.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete steps taken to represent schools and councils were not detailed
Response accuracy