According to the BBC, a new charge for breakfast club attendees in Monmothshire has seen attendance drop by 20%
Attendance at primary school breakfast clubs in Monmothshire have dropped after a charge was introduced.
Since the £1 daily charge came into effect, attendance has fallen by a fifth.
The county council claims that the food itself remains free, and the charge is for childcare.
The Welsh government said “on no account” could a school apply any costs to children and their families for “any element” of the free breakfast.
However, a spokeperson said: “Schools may charge for wrap-around childcare, as long as they make clear to parents the charge is for the childcare and not any aspect of the free school breakfast session.
“The local authority has confirmed the charge is in relation to the discretionary child supervision offered prior to breakfast club commencing.”
Free breakfasts in Wales have been in effect since 2004. Labour leader Dimitri Batrouni said his party opposed the new charge in Monmothshire as it would place “an extra burden on families… that is unnecessary”.
A Welsh government spokesperson said: “Schools may charge for wrap-around childcare, as long as they make clear to parents the charge is for the childcare and not any aspect of the free school breakfast session.
“The local authority has confirmed the charge is in relation to the discretionary child supervision offered prior to breakfast club commencing.”
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