On BBC Wales Politics Show, Adam Price refused to commit to protecting the link between Free School Meals and the Pupil Deprivation Grant.

The Pupil Deprivation Grant is extra funding for schools from the Welsh Government to overcome the additional barriers poorer pupils face that prevent them from achieving their full potential. We are spending £100m on the Pupil Deprivation Grant this year alone.

Price was unable to answer how he would pay for his Free School Meals policy without cutting the link that successfully puts more money into schools to boost attainment.

Worryingly, Plaid Cymru’s manifesto fails to mention the Pupil Deprivation Grant.

A Welsh Labour Spokesperson said:

“Adam Price won’t commit to protecting the crucial link between Free School Meals and the Pupil Deprivation Grant, which is helping boost attainment for the most disadvantaged children in Wales.

 

“Once again, Plaid Cymru have announced headline grabbing policies without thinking about the knock-on effect on schools and families. Plaid can’t say how they will pay for things they propose and won’t come clean about the things they intend to cut. It’s the height of irresponsibility at a time we need to focus on helping all pupils catch up in school after the disruption caused by Covid.

 

“Welsh Labour will protect the link to direct support for disadvantaged children because it is crucial to our mission to boost attainment. We will lead the most comprehensive catch up programme in education as part of our recovery from the pandemic.”