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Today MLAs vote on a Bill to give children on free school meals a payment in the holidays, and one change could decide when families actually see it. The DUP Education Minister wants to remove the rule that says payments must start by the next school break. 1/5

Without that rule, the start date would be set later by the Department. The Assembly would have to approve it, but nobody would have to hurry, and a parent cannot plan a food shop around a date that does not exist. 2/5

Another change, from the Education Committee Chair, says the payment should never be less than the price of a school meal. So the test for every party is simple: will you vote for a clear start date and a payment that buys a proper meal? 3/5