Recommendation 14

Edenred told us that setting up the voucher scheme in two weeks meant that it had to start with those supermarket chains with which it had an existing relationship. It then held discussions with other chains aiming, by increasing the number of participating 17 C&AG’s Report, para 3 18 Q 120; C&AG’s Report, para 13 19 C&AG’s Report, para 3.29 20 Qq 120–122 21 C&AG’s Report, para 3.29 22 Qq 120–121 23 Catholic Education Service, para 6 24 National Association of Head Teachers, para 28 25 Truro and Penrith Academy Trust, para 5 10 COVID 19: the free school meals voucher scheme supermarkets, to reduce travelling time and increase choice for families. It told us that, at the end, the scheme covered 82% of the United Kingdom grocery market. Edenred acknowledged that coverage was not 100%, so could have been better, but observed that this was a good achievement in the time available. It explained that it had had two key requirements for bringing further supermarket chains into the scheme. The first was that supermarket chains had to be able to accept vouchers in every branch, to ensure a consistent experience. The second was that the vouchers had to be distributed digitally, so they could be processed quickly, simply and securely.26 The Department acknowledged, however, that it could have set out more clearly and transparently the steps required for supermarkets to join the scheme.27 26 Q 50 27 Q 37 COVID 19: the free school meals voucher scheme 11 2 Operation of the voucher scheme and costs to the taxpayer Understanding how schools and parents would use the scheme