LOW-INCOME families will still be able to access free school meals for their children over the Easter holidays.

St Helens Council said it will continue to offer its packed lunch collection service over the next fortnight.

Following the Easter break, the council said it intends to continue providing an on-site meal provision for all children eligible for free school meals – as well as pupils who would normally purchase a meal at school.

Cllr Sue Murphy, cabinet member for developing young people, said: “During these exceptional circumstances, it is vitally important that we ensure our children and young people who qualify for a free school meal continue to receive the food they need.

“I’m delighted this will continue to run during the Easter holidays when schools would normally be closed, as no child deserves to go hungry.”

In addition to the packed lunch collection service, parents and carers may also be able to claim food vouchers to the value of £15 a week per child.

However, it is the decision of each individual school if they wish to provide this option, which does not cover pupils on Universal Infant Free School Meals.

The voucher scheme is a national initiative launched by the government following the closure of UK schools for everyone except key workers.

It is part of the government’s commitment to provide ongoing support for the 1.3 million children who would receive benefits-related free school meals at their school.

Schools will be able to order vouchers individually online and have a code sent via email to each family.

The family can then show the code on their phone at the supermarket.

The vouchers can be spent on food at a range of shops including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S.