A council has apologised for halting hot lunches for hundreds of children on free school meals due to a recruitment crisis in hospitality staff.
Dudley Council wrote to four primary schools using its catering service on Friday to inform them the number of staff available to work is “below safe operating levels”.
The council said it is reducing counter service on a temporary basis meaning pupils on free school meals will be given a “grab bag” style lunch. This includes a sandwich, fruit, yoghurt and cake or dessert.
The council said despite a “targeted” summer recruitment campaign they are “unfortunately experiencing a high number of vacancies and sickness absences within our organisation”.
