Disadvantaged children in Wokingham are missing out on hot meals at school.

UllaKarin Clark, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for children’s services, revealed that some schools are unable to serve these “important” meals due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking at a council meeting on September 18, the Conservative councillor said some schools can only offer “a sandwich-style option”, but the council wants all schools to be serving hot meals by next month.

The bubble system and social distancing measures mean it’s unsafe for schools to serve everyone in the dining halls and delivering hot meals to classrooms “is a health and safety risk”, she said.

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Cllr Caroline Smith (Liberal Democrat) raised the issue after she was contacted by a concerned member of staff who works at a local school.

She said: “It’s quite an important thing for children to have a hot meal during the day, especially for those who are in poverty.

“I was contacted by someone who works in a school kitchen, who was concerned.

“During Covid, I don’t think many children who were at school were getting hot school meals.

“But she was worried that, going forward, this would continue for quite some time.”

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At Thursday’s meeting, Cllr Clark said: “Each school will determine its own arrangements for the provision of school meals, and some choose to purchase through the contract held by the council with Caterlink.

“We recognise that for many children, access to a hot meal is important and we are working with Caterlink to ensure a return to hot meal provision as soon as is possible, and no later than October half term.”

Around seven per cent of schoolchildren in Wokingham are entitled to receive free school meals.

A child is provided with a free school meal if they come from a low-income family and at least one of their parents is claiming benefits. Kids in reception class, Year 1 and Year 2 are also eligible.