Children in Reception classes first to get free school meals for all from September
Those in Year 1 and 2 should be able to have them by April 2023
Primary school children in reception classes across Wales will be the first to receive free school meals for all pupils from September.
The Welsh Government has announced those in Year 1 and 2 will get them by April next year.
Universal primary free school meals are being introduced following a co-operation agreement between the Labour Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
There is a commitment for all primary school pupils to receive free school meals by 2024.
£225m has been committed to secure its delivery over the next three years.
This first year of delivery will focus on building the capacity of schools to deliver this increased offer.
Those in older years who are eligible for free school meals won’t be affected by the roll out of the universal scheme.
The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru will continue to work with local authorities on plans to extend the scheme further into the 2023/24 academic year to meet the commitment for all primary school pupils to receive a free school meal by 2024.
Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language said: “No child should ever be at school hungry.
"Given the pressure so many families are under with the increases in the cost-of-living we are absolutely committed to taking practical measures to support our children and young people.
“Our new programme of universal free school meals for primary children is one of the key ways we are looking to help families.
"Younger children are more likely to be living in relative income poverty, so we are starting with a decent free school meal for children in Reception from September, with most children in Year 1 and Year 2 also getting free school meals by next April.
“I want to thank our local authorities and schools for working with us so constructively over the past few months to help make this a reality.”