No summer break for key worker childcare, free school meals or additional payments

Free childcare of key workers, free school meals and additional £10 payments for eligible children will continue during the 2020 summer school holidays.

Council Executive approved proposals to maintain all three essential supports at a combined cost of nearly £900,000.

Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: "I'm delighted that we are able to maintain these schemes which significantly support local families during the school holidays.

"Many rely on vital services like these to help support their children, which is why it's important they remain in place throughout the holiday period."

From 15 June (until 7 August), childcare provision for key workers who have no alternatives was consolidated into three larger venues across West Lothian - The Low Port Centre in Linlithgow, Howden Park Centre in Livingston and Xcite Bathgate Sports Centre.  Provision for key workers is also provided in East Calder and Broxburn by Simply Play.

These venues have replaced the school hubs and offer a range of health and wellbeing activities for children aged from P1 to S3, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Arrangements are in place to make sure free school meals are still available to all children who are entitled to them over the school holidays. Around 3,300 hot meals and packed lunches are currently being provided daily.

The list of venues for collecting takeaway meals will change slightly due to building work taking place in schools. This includes Bankton Primary replacing the James Young High School and St Ninian's Primary in Dedridge, Livingston and West Calder High replacing Parkhead Primary.

Meals can be picked up from any school collection point listed online at

Eligible families, such as those in receipt of free school meals, who have been receiving an extra £10 payment will continue to do so during the summer holiday period. Anyone who thinks they are eligible and has not been receiving these payments should email their details to EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk