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.”
by kerry ann, Forsbrook
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 8:08AM
“To Anon... I hope you dont buy your kids 20fags a day.... that would be something to write about...and dont say you dont eat ..come on what do you think we are fools ... you .get your rent and councile tax paid for you.you get child tax credits ..child benifit and and the income the goverment give you... i understand loosing people is hard .... but you have to move on ... so you lost your job then go out get another one... or is it that you better off on benifits i bet.... and before you say anything im 21 worked since leaving college... teacher.... my mum/dad/brother all work we have never been on benifits and never want to .... get a back bone chick.....”
by anon, home
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 6:30AM
“i have four children all currently have free school meals, i have worked since the day i left school and never claimed a penny, get no maintance for any of my children, last years after loosing 3 pepole in my family (close members) i suffered from drepession and ended up looosing my job, its a real embarrassemt being on benefits but now being without a job leaves it so much harder to get another, i apply for everyone i see..... my kids dont buy 20 fags a day as i dont even have 50p to give them some days i don't eat making sure my kids have good tea with fruit for after's..... so dont sterro type all us young singal out of work mums, come an visit my house if you think pepole on benefits have a much easier time.....WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!”
by Stuart, Bentilee
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 5:42AM
“An obvious feeble attempt to buy some single - mother votes . How much more transparent can these liebour idiots get ?”
by Anon, Mow Cop
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:03PM
“Free school meals should stay targeted at the familes who need them because of the circumstances they find themselves in. I had free school meals years ago when my father was seriously injured in the pit and unable to work, and as a family we were dependent on "National Assistance" as it was called then. There is a cost to everything, I am very happy to pay my income tax to provide free school meals for the children who deserve it and not to those who can and should pay to provide proper nutrition for their children.”
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 7:19PM
“Martin.... it say on the pot you have to stir it, pot nuddel that is, and that the contents may be hot... lol.
In all honisty on this, means testing is the way, hit on hard times, give the kid a meal, dossing on the dole, its not the kids falt, give the kid a meal, unable to earn becouse of sickness or disabelment , hell, give the kid a meal and a bit more to take home. If yopu are working, pay your way, if its a mid-day meal for your kids or 10 fags and a pint or two in the evening for you, you know what to do, I hope so anyway.”