MP leads call for free school meals
PARENTS are backing a campaign to give free school dinners to all primary pupils in the Potteries.
The crusade was launched yesterday by Stoke-on-Trent South's Labour MP Rob Flello, who hopes to get at least 2,000 families to sign petition postcards.
It would cost an extra £6 million a year to provide free meals to all 21,000 schoolchildren in Stoke-on-Trent aged between three and 11.
Just 5,289 youngsters from low-income families currently qualify for free dinners.
But council officials have warned that, without more investment from Mr Flello's own Labour Government, helping to pay for the meals would mean diverting cash away from other essential services.
The MP claims the knock-on benefits for hard-pressed working families, who currently fork out £1.75 for a primary school dinner, would make it worthwhile. He said: "There is also evidence that young people who get school meals do better educationally and socially."
Mr Flello began his campaign outside the gates of Gladstone Primary School, in Adderley Green, near Longton, yesterday. Around 80 parents pledged their support.
Among them was mature student Sarah Randle, from Bentilee, who has three children, aged eight, seven, and two-and-a-half.
She said: "I'm at uni at the moment, so my children are eligible for free school meals.
"It's especially difficult if you've got more than one child. Next year, I'll have three children at school – it's going to cost almost £6 a day."
Pamela Hope, aged 48, from Meir Hay, has a four-year-old granddaughter, Casey, at Gladstone.
She said: "My daughter works and doesn't qualify for free school meals. But she can't afford them, so her father pays."
The Government will start piloting free school dinners for all primary age children in Durham and the London borough of Newham, from this September.
A third authority, Wolverhampton, will also be extending its free school meals criteria.
But Stoke-on-Trent was ruled out of applying for the pilot because 11,900 pupils – 56 per cent of its primary age children – already have school meals.
Mr Flello wants the Government to extend the pilot to Stoke-on-Trent, or to put the city first in line if it is rolled out nationally.
Failing that, he believes the city council should foot the bill.
Ian Mitchell, the council's cabinet member for children and young people's services, said he would welcome funding to provide free meals.
"We were very disappointed that our good record in encouraging children to take a school meal meant we were ineligible to take part in the pilot scheme," he added.
But he stressed the council would struggle to fund the meals itself, saying: "It would impact on existing tightly managed budgets which fund schools, early years and special educational needs."
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Sentinel Comment: Free meals don't add up... We confess we find it odd to see a loyalist Labour MP starting this campaign in such a public fashion. Who has been in charge for 12 years now? Read more
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by Nicky, SOT
Saturday, July 04 2009, 12:58PM
“... there's no such thing as a free lunch!
Really this is the depths of labour desperation. They should accept that we do not want their government any longer and they should call an election now.
This would have been more credible if it were introduced soon after they got into power, not now. I don't mind some of my taxes being used to help a few who are most unfortunate, but this is no time to expand such a scheme to those who aren't in so much need. The country is broke. The most needy already get free meals.
From my point of view my kids have always got far better nutrition at home than in their school dinners in any case.”
by Me, Stafford Borough
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 1:34PM
“Kerry Ann.... So what do you teach? We know it's not English as your spelling is absolutely shocking!!”
by AW, Staffs
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 12:58PM
“Kerry Ann. So at the ripe old age of 21, you have taken your experience of life into teaching. Lets look at that, School / College / Teaching. Education, Education, Education. A bit limited. Before making comments on others and what they may or may not recieve from the Tax Payer, by way of Benefits / Tax Credits. Lets ask the question, who pays your salary ? Oh yes, the Tax Payer. Lets hope we are getting value for money !. And may I say with your attitude, you must be a fun teacher !!!.”
by Martin, Newcastle
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 10:58AM
“Kerry - you've broke him... Warren actually agreeing with someones circumstances - what have you done.!!!!
anyway, There are several ways to look at this...
no-one gets free meals,
Only lesser income people get free meals
Everyone gets free meals....
then there is the case that if you are out of work, you should have more time to prepare food. working parents need to get ready for work - and don't return until late and also have (possibly) child care costs. So if you are working and earning your way then you have more outgoings anyway, as I said - tricky one this. Every case is different though - as per Anon, there are many people who want to work at the moment - but there are no jobs. others - who I know personally - have no intention of working and see an extra child as an income and excuse not to work... with the excellent working family tax scheme everyone should have the incentive to work as per Anon... sadly some don't”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 8:34AM
“Kerry Ann....Forsbrook, it you don't mind me saying, chick, for a teacher, your post shows a compleat lack of understanding of others. The loss of loved ones can at times be earth shattering to people. It seems to me that Anon... home as a real problem that goes mostly un-seen. She lost her job becouse of health problems, and could not return to the job market right away becouse of the problems. Now, without working for some time, and thats not a problem of her makeing, she is now looked over for employment as she as not worked for some time, even thought she dealy wants to. Kerry the thacher, look at each case please, dont tar all with the same dirty old brush, and Anon, keep banging on doors, someone will give you a go in the end, good luck.”