Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the charity Contact that a third of eligible disabled children do not access free school meals for reasons that may be linked to their disability, such as being too unwell to attend school or being unable to eat the meals due to dietary or sensory requirements; what steps they are taking in response; and, in particular, whether they intend to offer a voucher scheme to such children during term time.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Schools have a duty to provide nutritious, free meals to pupils that meet the eligibility criteria, including being a registered pupil of a state funded school. Free School Meal (FSM) provision should be made to eligible pupils either on the school premises or at any other place where education is being provided. The department expects schools to act reasonably in ensuring that their food provision accounts for medical, dietary and cultural needs. The department has published statutory guidance (attached), which describes steps a school may take, including the establishment of individual healthcare plans which may include special diets.
Local authorities are funded to support children with special educational needs, including those who are unable to attend school on a long-term basis. The department has published guidance to provide more information, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/illness-child-education. The department continues to keep its guidance under review to ensure that free school meal eligibility supports those who most need them.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to update the Free Schools Meals Guidance to explain how local authorities and schools should provide free school meals to eligible disabled children who, for whatever reason, cannot access them.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Schools have a duty to provide nutritious, free meals to pupils that meet the eligibility criteria, including being a registered pupil of a state funded school. Free School Meal (FSM) provision should be made to eligible pupils either on the school premises or at any other place where education is being provided. The department expects schools to act reasonably in ensuring that their food provision accounts for medical, dietary and cultural needs. The department has published statutory guidance (attached), which describes steps a school may take, including the establishment of individual healthcare plans which may include special diets.
Local authorities are funded to support children with special educational needs, including those who are unable to attend school on a long-term basis. The department has published guidance to provide more information, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/illness-child-education. The department continues to keep its guidance under review to ensure that free school meal eligibility supports those who most need them.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government which disability and accessibility groups they consulted before launching the consultation on proposed closures to rail ticket offices.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In partnership with industry, the Rail Minister and department officials held roundtables with industry and accessibility stakeholders and passenger representative groups on 6 June and 18 July 2023 to discuss potential reforms. Over 20 different organisations were represented at the different roundtables.
Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process train operating companies have put forward proposals to change the opening hours or closure of station ticket offices and recently consulted on these. The consultation closed on 1 September and the independent passenger bodies, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, are currently assessing the proposals and consultation responses.
We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.
The Department continues to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.