Mark Drakeford was busy serving lunches to primary school children on Wednesday to mark the start of the rollout of universal free school meals in Wales. During his visit to Ysgol Bro Preseli in Pembrokeshire, the Welsh Labour leader wore chef whites and a hair net.
The politician said on Twitter that he enjoyed his visit to the primary school, but wasn't sure he could "keep up with the pace of their fantastic kitchen staff". His visit alongside Plaid Cymru's Designated Member Siân Gwenllian, came as the co-operation agreement announced the rollout of universal free school meals is starting in Wales this week with the youngest children in primary schools the first to benefit.
The policy for universal free school meals under the Labour government and Plaid Cymru agreement begins with reception children this month, before being rolled out to all children of primary school age by 2024.
Read more: The huge changes to how schools will teach in Wales next term
Nursery-age pupils attending a maintained school for at least two full sessions, on any one day per week, will be eligible for a free school meal. Some local authorities are moving quicker and are also providing meals for pupils in reception classes.
Around £35m of new capital funding will support the roll-out of the scheme. The funding will be provided to local authorities to invest in improvements to school catering facilities, including purchasing equipment, upgrading existing kitchen facilities and updating digital systems. Which years will be offered them depends on where they live.
Some councils are extending the free school meal offer to children in years one and two from this term, after the October half term, or from January. Some school canteens were shut during the pandemic restrictions and were not fully open and serving hot meals last academic year - Cardiff Council said that if any of its canteens could not offer hot food in September, cold food would be offered instead. You can find what all 22 local authorities told our Education Editor Abbie Wightwick here.
During his visit to the primary school, Mr Drakeford said: "I've been here at Ysgol Bro Preseli this afternoon, serving food to children in the reception age who are going to be the first recipients of the new policy of the Welsh Government to provide free school meals.
"At the moment to children in the reception age, by 2024 all children of primary school age will be entitled to a free school meal everywhere across Wales. Having a free meal in the school day is good for the children, but it's good for families as well at this very difficult time. It's great to have been here today to get it off to a fantastic start."
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