Pupils in reception have been offered a free lunch since September 2022 and the expansion of the offer to year one means more than 4,800 children in Swansea are now eligible. Year one pupils will automatically be enrolled so parents and carers don’t need to apply for the meals.
The Welsh Government made a commitment for every primary school pupil to receive a free school meal by 2024 and Swansea Council is working to achieve this target.
Robert Smith, Council Cabinet Member for Education and Learning, said: "During this cost of living crisis the Welsh Government's free school meal pledge is more important than ever so I'm very pleased that in Swansea we are now in a position to extend the offer to all year one pupils.
"I'm grateful to ministers for the funding that is being provided to enable us to deliver this. We will be updating parents and carers as soon as we are in a position to include further year groups once the necessary infrastructure is in place."
More than £4.3m is being invested in improving school kitchens and updating equipment in Swansea so that it can be delivered on time.