Free school meals to be offered to all year one and two pupils in Flintshire from next month

Starting from next month, free school meals will be offered to all year one and two pupils in Flintshire.

The Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) scheme was first made available to reception pupils in Flintshire’s 64 primary schools in September 2022, and nearly 70% of all reception-aged children have taken up the offer.

The extension of the scheme to years one and two pupils is part of the Welsh Government’s phased introduction plan for UPFSM to all primary pupils by 2024.

Councillor Ian Roberts, Leader of the Council, expressed his support for the scheme, stating that the recent rollout to reception pupils had been “extremely successful” and that extending it to include years one and two pupils would provide families with much-needed additional support during the current cost of living crisis.

Pupils in years 3 and 4 will receive the offer in September this year, and Flintshire is on track to meeting Welsh Government’s target of offering the scheme to all primary-aged pupils by September 2024.

Parents do not need to apply for their child to receive UPFSM, as pupils in qualifying year groups will automatically receive their free school meal unless they opt-out.

However, while families on lower incomes or in receipt of certain benefits may be entitled to support for other school essentials, receiving UPFSM does not automatically qualify them for it.

To benefit from this additional support, parents/carers should apply at www.flintshire.gov.uk/eFSM-E.

Families on lower incomes or in receipt of certain benefits whose children are in year 3 and above, or in secondary school, can still apply for a free school meal and help with other school essentials

For more information, please visit www.flintshire.gov.uk/eFSM-E.