TEACHERS today hailed a measure to extend free school meals in Welsh secondary schools.

The Plaid Cymru-led Welsh government has said it will expand free school meals to secondary school pupils in households receiving Universal Credit by removing the income limit.

Secondary school pupils qualify for free meals only if their families receive UC and their household income is below £7,400 a year, excluding benefits.

All primary pupils in Wales already receive free school meals, a policy rolled out under the last Welsh government.

National Education Union Cymru’s Nicola Fitzpatrick welcomed the move, but said her union would like to see every pupil in secondary education receive free meals.

“The threshold has been too low for too long, excluding children from a critical meal at lunch time,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

Education Minister Anna Brychan committed £15 million to enable more secondary pupils to receive free school meals and plans to roll this out from September.

The funding boost will be split into £10m of capital funding to invest in school kitchens and dining areas and £5m of revenue funding to extend free meals.

“This funding marks the first step in our commitment to extend free school meals to more secondary pupils, ensuring that support reaches families who need it most,” Ms Brychan said.

“We know that access to nutritious food improves concentration, attainment and overall health.

“We will ensure that as children move into secondary education, those who need it most will continue to receive the support they need to thrive.”