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Primary 'free school meals' call | Primary 'free school meals' call |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Ministers are being urged to offer free school meals to all primary school pupils in England. | Ministers are being urged to offer free school meals to all primary school pupils in England. |
Currently, free meals are only offered to children from poorer families. | Currently, free meals are only offered to children from poorer families. |
But Labour-affiliated unions want the means test to be removed, so that all primary school children can receive a free healthy canteen lunch. | But Labour-affiliated unions want the means test to be removed, so that all primary school children can receive a free healthy canteen lunch. |
A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said it was looking at the results of a free meals pilot in Hull, but had no plans to extend it. | A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said it was looking at the results of a free meals pilot in Hull, but had no plans to extend it. |
Delegates at Labour's National Policy Forum in Warwick are understood to have tabled an amendment calling for the change. | Delegates at Labour's National Policy Forum in Warwick are understood to have tabled an amendment calling for the change. |
Serving up a free healthy lunch in every school would bring benefits to the nation's collective health. Sharon Hodgson | Serving up a free healthy lunch in every school would bring benefits to the nation's collective health. Sharon Hodgson |
They hope it will boost the number of pupils taking the meals, which are now subject to strict nutritional guidelines. | They hope it will boost the number of pupils taking the meals, which are now subject to strict nutritional guidelines. |
Figures released earlier this month revealed that take-up of healthy school dinners has risen in primary schools for the first time since 2004 to 43.6%. | Figures released earlier this month revealed that take-up of healthy school dinners has risen in primary schools for the first time since 2004 to 43.6%. |
In 2006, new rules were introduced banning vending machines and junk food from school canteens and requiring schools to produce more nutritious meals. | In 2006, new rules were introduced banning vending machines and junk food from school canteens and requiring schools to produce more nutritious meals. |
There are also calls from an MP writing in the Fabian Review, the quarterly magazine published by the Fabian Society which has long-standing links to the Labour Party. | There are also calls from an MP writing in the Fabian Review, the quarterly magazine published by the Fabian Society which has long-standing links to the Labour Party. |
Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, argues: "All parents are feeling the pinch and universal free school meals would ease the pressure on purse strings at home and, eventually, in the Treasury. | Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, argues: "All parents are feeling the pinch and universal free school meals would ease the pressure on purse strings at home and, eventually, in the Treasury. |
"The chance to influence the eating habits of all children is one not to be missed." | "The chance to influence the eating habits of all children is one not to be missed." |
She adds: "Serving up a free healthy lunch in every school would bring benefits to the nation's collective health, educational attainment and environmental credentials." | She adds: "Serving up a free healthy lunch in every school would bring benefits to the nation's collective health, educational attainment and environmental credentials." |
Mrs Hodgson says an evaluation of a pilot scheme in Hull shows there is a positive impact of making free school meals universally available. | Mrs Hodgson says an evaluation of a pilot scheme in Hull shows there is a positive impact of making free school meals universally available. |
But that the idea was scrapped after a change in the ruling party on council. | But that the idea was scrapped after a change in the ruling party on council. |
Mrs Hodgson says she was inspired by what she saw during a visit to schools in Sweden. | Mrs Hodgson says she was inspired by what she saw during a visit to schools in Sweden. |
'New kitchens' | 'New kitchens' |
"Lunch was an integral part of the curriculum with all children eating a healthy meal alongside their teachers. | "Lunch was an integral part of the curriculum with all children eating a healthy meal alongside their teachers. |
"The food was tasty, healthy and appetising. All the children tucked in heartily, helped themselves to seconds and tidied up after themselves before retuning to wipe down the tables. | "The food was tasty, healthy and appetising. All the children tucked in heartily, helped themselves to seconds and tidied up after themselves before retuning to wipe down the tables. |
"When I asked whether that was normal behaviour, the Swedish teachers were astonished that we did not do the same here. | "When I asked whether that was normal behaviour, the Swedish teachers were astonished that we did not do the same here. |
"They asked whether we did not realise how important it is that children eat a good, nutritious meal at lunch time if they are to concentrate and learn." | "They asked whether we did not realise how important it is that children eat a good, nutritious meal at lunch time if they are to concentrate and learn." |
A DCSF spokesman said: "We've invested over £650 million to transform school lunches - to improve nutritional standards and training; build new kitchens; and raise take up, particularly among the 210,000 children who we know qualify for free school meals but do not claim them. | A DCSF spokesman said: "We've invested over £650 million to transform school lunches - to improve nutritional standards and training; build new kitchens; and raise take up, particularly among the 210,000 children who we know qualify for free school meals but do not claim them. |
"Local authorities already have the power to extend free school meals provision to those they consider need it. | "Local authorities already have the power to extend free school meals provision to those they consider need it. |
"We are looking at Hull's experiment of offering free school meals to all primary school pupils but have no current plans to change existing national policy." | "We are looking at Hull's experiment of offering free school meals to all primary school pupils but have no current plans to change existing national policy." |
Child Poverty Action Group's head of policy Paul Dornan said where free school meals for all had been been tried, they had been a great success. | |
"Children who sit down every day to a good quality meal together are healthier, happier, learn better and socialise better. | |
"This would be good news for all children, especially low income families facing rising prices who would save £300 per child on the costs of paying for school meals or pack lunches." |
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