To ask why do people not working claiming FSM get this for free?

Isn't it a bit of an assumption to think that all children receiving FSM are "vulnerable?' I know of many single-parent families qualifying for FSM in which the child is exceptionally well cared for.
Low income does not always equate to vulnerable child/neglectful parent.

Really??? Why do people assume because we get free school meals that parents are poor and don't look after there children properly??? I'm a single mum one benefits. My sons have never gone to breakfast club or holiday clubs. I spend most of my money on making sure they are warm, fed and have a roof over their heads. I'm extremely proud of them..... they are bright, helpful, and friendly lads. We don't have a car or new clothes every week. But they have turned out fine being on benefits...... So please please don't assume everyone who is on benefits is struggling. Money might be tight but the love and support for my children is not

Still being able to claim this on a household income of 75k is crazy. No wonder local authorities are going bankrupt right now.

the maximum income to claim fsm is something like £7400. This does exclude state benefits but some people in that bracket will be struggling hugely financially, as in choosing between heating and eating, going to food banks etc. Real poverty. Some families in this bracket might be living in hostels, bed sits, with limited access to fridges and cooking facilities even if they do have the money for food.

There is a correlation between hungry kids and poor educational outcomes, unsurprisingly. Hungry children cannot learn. They are also more likely to be disruptive / unhappy in school. That has a knock on effect on the rest of the children.

It's all very well saying "well it's not the school's job to feed starving children" but these children need feeding NOW, they don't have time to wait for a long term solution.

Really????? I'm a single mum and my son was getting free school meals. However......all my benefits money goes on making sure they are both dressed, warm and well fed. They have never gone to breakfast clubs or holiday clubs. I make sure they are fed properly before myself. No we don't drive a fancy car or have new clothes every five minutes. I'm not "raking"it in. But my sons are polite, well mannered and thoughtful. And I'm very proud of them

That doesn’t mean the child isn’t loved or lives in an unstable home though? Literally pointing out posts saying “at least my child has a loving home”. Because people on benefits don’t love their children?

What would you prefer then @Sprinkledusting, for these kids to be sent home hungry so that you don’t feel jealous? Would that make you feel better? After all, it’s important that small children suffer so that it’s “fair” 🙄

Well yes, you're certainly coming across that way.

Especially when you said.... It is then a hard pill to swallow when someone says to me they’ve booked their child in for the whole week for holiday club while they sit at home and watch daytime TV (this is the truth before anyone jumps at me).

But of course you're not benefits bashing 🙄🙄

Not all, but when you look at the data of which children are suffering adverse circumstances it’s usually the poorest so this is an at risk group that society should be helping. Poverty is really stressful for families including the parents. Even loving parents who try their very best would be even better if they were releaved from the burden of the stress of poverty

Yes this is true , our household income is now £75k plus but I had previously received benefits around 7 years ago , our circumstance significantly changed but still eligible for pupil premium which our school wanted us to claim as it helps them out, I believe this will continue until my daughter finishes secondary school next year.

Yes i reaoise that plus obviousoy costs to administrate the fsm.

Yes i would make sure nrp pays.
Im not convinced its worth it living together
Could get housing benefits each
More UC etc
And the dad would keep all his earnings
Only savings would be on council tax and other bills like heating.

Wow.

Thank god parents at my daughter's primary where lone parents were scarce didn't have your attitude.

Sickening.

Plus most after school activities are outsourced so full price has to be paid to the external providers regardless.

I'm glad my daughter will grow up to understand how life can be different for different people, she already has. I'll show her this quote in the morning. I'm sure could make an essay out of it in her Sociology class. Thanks.

🙄 that’s not what they think

Not stigma but without being outing I come across a lot of families where the children really do need warm safe environments to be in when not at school. The point im
making is that it’s to help the children not to give the parents who may not work full time for whatever reason, a break.
children in poverty are at high risk- Fsm is a crude way of deciding who meets the criteria but it’s one of the simplest ways as that data is readily available to schools

I am not aware of the morning and after school club, I don't think this is true in my area?

because it isn’t true. The holiday clubs are a thing but free after school clubs and breakfast club isn’t true

and I hate the assumption all kids on fsm are from vulnerable unstable unloving abusive homes 🙄

My children receive fsm as they were entitled when I applied, I have since entered work and no longer qualify (if I were to apply again) but you continue to get them until your child finishes the phase of schooling they were in upon application.
Until the rollout of UC is completed no one has to reapply so my oldest went up to secondary school and was still entitled.

Despite no longer financially qualifying the threshold is quite low and the fsm and HAF clubs are a godsend to me as it means my child can go to a club in the holidays whilst I'm working. Despite working I actually couldn't afford school meals for my children, they would have a sandwich if it wasn't for fsm.

I think people need to realise that children from low income families are disadvantaged from the off and these things are not a reward to the parents but support for the child. Don't be jealous, be grateful that your children are more fortunate in life.

Maybe just be grateful that the state doesn't think your children would be better off out of your care.

No free holiday clubs on fsm here anyway. No reduced music lessons or trips either! Maybe that’s just England.

The argument would be that there has to be a cut off somewhere- receipt of FSM is a measure used by the government to determine levels of deprivation and risk- it’s an easy way to target the most needy while keeping costs down. Whether you agree with that depends on your political and philosophical position on the welfare state.

At least it’s something for some of the most vulnerable children- it’s better than nothing.

It's unbelievable isn't it.

If you have a mortgage and are on UC you get a much higher work allowance ( the amount that is completely disregarded before earnings reduce your total UC ) than someone renting so you do get extra help there. It really isn't an insignificant amount - over £600 that is completely disregarded from your earnings ! I'm getting fed up with people on UC with mortgages making out they are so hard done by !

It's understandable to feel envious as you are struggling so much. But I think funding is cut so much that there has to be a cut off point somewhere and unfortunately you are on the wrong side.
Is it different where you are - here the HAF scheme only provides 4 hours per day on 4 days. So not a full week of holiday club.

Crikey. And I thought the stigma of free school meals had long gone.

You own property. A far greater privilege than a breakfast club.

Your DS is in a far better position because of it. Give your head a wobble.

I am not aware of the morning and after school club, I don't think this is true in my area? But I did want you to know that your child may well be able to access the HAF programmes without you being in receipt of free school meals. Councils should allow up to 15% of children not in receipt of FSM to access the programme if there are remaining places. Some factors that are more likely to get you a place are living in a postcode area of high deprivation, having a low income but not being entitled to FSM, having a disability, having low school attendance etc HAF programmes can accept anyone if they have spare places. There are loads of places running them so definitely worth you trying to gain a place.