Opinions sought on free school meal voucher scheme

Parents are still being asked for their thoughts on the Islands free school meal voucher scheme.

Last month, government launched a public consultation on the initiative which offers parents of children who're entitled to free school meals shopping vouchers to help provide for their youngsters whilst schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scheme was brought in in April but then in July Tynwald extended it for a further six weeks to cover the summer holidays.

Under it, those who qualify receive a voucher every fortnight equivalent in value to ten free school meals.

Officials are now asking recipients to complete and return an anonymous survey - it's hoped the feedback provided will build a better picture of the challenges parents, who qualify for free school meals, face when schools are closed.

Anyone who wants to have their say on the matter has one week left to do so - residents can take part by visiting the government's online consultation hub before the deadline on Monday, September 7.