Commenting on criticism of the food parcels that have been sent to some families, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: 

"For most families, food parcels are less helpful than vouchers. Vouchers give families the flexibility to shop for items that that they can actually use to make meals at home.

"The government has confirmed that schools can use local voucher schemes and that they will be reimbursed in full if they do. That is an important change from last time.

"The huge problems with the national voucher system last year may have put schools and families off using it. It is therefore important that the government demonstrates these problems have been fully rectified.

"The most important thing is to get food into the homes of those who need it. We are already a week into the national lockdown and so this cannot happen quickly enough, otherwise children will go hungry.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk