Morning:
5°c
Free school meals for all go on trial in London borough
Tim Ross, Education Correspondent3 Sep 2009
Every primary school child in a London borough will receive free school meals for the first time under a ground-breaking scheme launched today.
More than 30,000 children in Newham are expected to eat healthy lunches at school every day in the drive to cut obesity.
The two-year government pilot scheme will investigate whether giving free meals to all pupils improves their diets and boosts concentration in class. The policy could be extended across the country if it succeeds.
The scheme comes amid signs that the recession has increased the number of children living in poverty, with more pupils eligible for free school meals in England this year.
Newham was chosen because of the borough's high proportion of children from working class homes.
Almost 30 per cent of primary pupils in Newham are already eligible for free school meals because they come from the poorest families, compared with 16 per cent nationally.
But the scheme will extend eligibility to all pupils, regardless of their parents' income.
Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "This pilot means we can make a huge difference to the lives of our pupils and our families, particularly those on the breadline.
"We are one of the country's poorest boroughs and many families have felt extra pressure on their budgets during the recession.
"This is a great way of both putting money in their pockets and of improving children's health and fitness, one of our top priorities, to boot."
School canteens in the borough will serve dishes such as chicken and vegetable pasta bake, spicy fajitas and breaded fish. Separate trials are under way in Durham and Wolverhampton.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls hopes free school meals for all pupils could be extended across the country but critics warn such a move could cost taxpayers £1billion.
Mr Balls said school dinners could save all parents money even if their children were not eligible for free meals.
"I encourage all families who are entitled to a free school meal to claim this valuable support," he said.
"For those who are not eligible school meals are still a great deal and give parents good value for money.
"Parents with two children could save over £1,000 in a school year if they chose school meals - as well as have the reassurance that their children are eating good quality, healthy food."
The project comes as new rules are introduced for secondary schools limiting the amounts of fat, sugar and salt canteens can use in meals and setting minimum levels of nutrients such as fibre, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and zinc.
Reader views (9)
If the goal is to reduce obesity in greedy kids - don't provide them with any food at all at lunchtime - cheaper and will have faster results.
- Mr Pastry, Brisbane, 04/09/2009 11:21
Report abuse
I think it is a great idea, I just wish that they would put it in all schools now. My daughters school has just put the school dinners up to £2.00 a day. Thats a lot of money in this current time. It is nice to see that they are putting the money to good use and our countrys future, instead of giving it away to people who should not be intitled to it!!!
- Helen, Huntingdon, England, 03/09/2009 19:57
Report abuse
The best scheme this government has announced since it came into power. Finally we are concentrating on our countries welfare instead of poking our noses into other countries concerns. Absolutely Brilliant.
- Sajid, London, 03/09/2009 16:32
Report abuse
Clearly the recession has not reached the massively Labour Government supported borough of Newham. It clearly shows either the council tax is too high or more likely they receive too much cash from central government via various (invented and unaccountable)projects. What the idiot Balls means is I do not give a toss how much Labour spends as long as it supports crap Labour policies !!!
- Nick.Holland, glasgow, 03/09/2009 13:51
Report abuse
Sounds like it could be a good idea, but not all schools serve decent, healthy meals. Many schools say they have healthy options, but this is untrue. In fact some schools in my area do not even have any type of hot meal available.
With the cost of school meals having risen again this month, they do not offer good value at all.
- Ruth, Southend England, 03/09/2009 13:20
Report abuse
£1 billion eh? Stick it on Gordons tab, he's going to leave one enormous bill when he goes, and trust me, he will go.
- Bob, Cheam, 03/09/2009 12:21
Report abuse
"Children's Secretary Ed Balls hopes free school meals for all pupils could be extended across the country but critics warn such a move could cost taxpayers £1billion."
That is £1bn worth spending. This is an excellent initiative that should be supported. Schools should also ensure that kids are locked in at lunchtimes, so not allowing them to purchase junk food. We must ensure that kids are looked after, they should not have a junk food option. In the end those kids that resist will eventually eat the healthier option when they are hungry; which has already been proved. Junk food has so much preservatives and chemicals, that kids are buzzing around not able to concentrate on their studies after lunch. A healthier meal is more appropriate.
- Andrew, London, 03/09/2009 12:13
Report abuse
And who's paying for this - the tax payer ??
- Tony Heath, Godalming, Surrey, 03/09/2009 12:08
Report abuse
Err trail...? you either have free school dinners or you don't. Are they trailing free tuition fee in university’s next?
- Paul, London, 03/09/2009 10:46
Report abuse
