Plaid worry over breakfast scheme (From Barry And District News)

Plaid worry over breakfast scheme

PLAID Cymru is warning of a potential shambles in Barry schools trying to bring in the free breakfast scheme from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The party has warned that schools may have to choose between text books and toast because the scheme won't be properly funded.

Members fear immediate problems in Barry, where the free breakfasts could be brought in next year.

Spokesman Nic Hodges said: "This scheme sounds simple but there will be huge problems introducing it. For instance Communities First areas will get the scheme first, and school catchments do not match these boundaries.

"Some children in a school will qualify, others won't. Children qualifying will immediately be stigmatised. This proposal is divisive - in Barry there are two Community First areas in Gibbonsdown and off Thomson Street.

"The Vale Council has confirmed that Labour has not discussed the matter with the schools. This could be a shambles."

Plaid says councils in Wales still haven't had money for Labour's free swim initiative last summer, and it fears that the money for free breakfasts will have to come from hard-hit school budgets.

Plaid says that next year's funding is so poor that local councils simply cannot afford more government initiatives.

Cllr Hodges said: "We demand that Labour provides a guarantee that it will fully fund this initiative up front.

"There are many educational advantages to children eating a good breakfast but we need answers from the minister on some fundamental questions regarding this policy. Will schools be expected to fund the project from existing finances?"