End of term celebrations are taking place across schools in Wales this week where, for the first time, all primary school children are entitled to a free Christmas meal.

Since the completion of the Universal Primary Free School Meals programme in September, over 35 million meals have been served, with just under 175,000 learners in maintained primary schools across Wales, newly eligible for a free school meal since then.

Free school meals help to improve the attainment and behaviour of learners, as well as promoting healthy eating and increasing social skills at mealtimes.

Schools have also benefitted from funding to improve school kitchen facilities.

Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: “I’m extremely proud that Wales is the first UK nation to offer all primary school children a free school meal.

“I would like to thank our local authorities and schools for helping to make this a reality. We are helping to tackle child poverty, as well as improving the wellbeing of our learners, and this has already made a huge difference to families across Wales.”