Government refusing to feed hungry kids again

[noblegiraffe]

The new government food strategy out today should have included a plan to extend free school meals to all families on Universal Credit, as recommended by the review of the school system, and as requested by the teaching and head teaching unions among other educational professionals www.schoolfoodmatters.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/Education%20letter%202022.pdf

It didn't.

Child poverty is at 30%, free school meal provision 22.5%, so there are children going hungry and this situation will only get worse with the cost of living crisis.

www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/heads-deeply-disappointed-lack-free-school-meal-extension

Don't worry about MPs going hungry though, with their subsidised restaurants and generous food allowance.

www.opendemocracy.net/en/food-poverty-parliament-mps-taxpayers-cost-of-living-subsidies/?saved

"Taxpayers have forked out £17m to subsidise bars and restaurants in the House of Commons over just three years, openDemocracy can reveal.

MPs have enjoyed cut-price meals, with the average cost of food in the Members’ Dining Room reduced by more than £1 between 2018 and 2021.

In fact, politicians could have a full three-course meal at the restaurant for as little as £10.41 last year."

Anyone else think that money could be better spent elsewhere?

That’s not really an argument though. This is about government policy. Whether or not mps should get subsidized canteens at work is a separate matter. It’s not relevant.

The money for the NHS is there. The government made a choice to undefined it. The brainwashing has worked on you though.

*underfund

It IS relevant because people are asking where the money should come from

This isn't a game of If I Were Queen cocktail. Hungry children can't wait for your frightening idea of a solution. They are hungry and not learning today, and tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. They shouldn't be a football to solidify Tory narratives.

I don’t really think it is. They are there to ensure the rule of law, keep the country safe, and ensure the weak are not exploited by the strong but it’s not their job to make sure everyone can afford to have children.

Exactly. There’s always money found when the government decide it’s important to find money.

In Wales from September all children under 11 get free school meals and this will expand to all school children from January. I thinks it's the way it should be many working families are on the breadline.

There are only about 600 MPs though. The cost of feeding them (and I agree that no reason why they should get subsidized food) is vastly different to the cost of feeding millions of school children. I don’t think you can link the two.

MPs shouldn’t have a subsidized canteen but that’s irrelevant to who qualifies for free school meals.

And it's not the tax payers' job to feed those who can afford it either.

@PansyPetunia your ignorance is clearly showing. If it’s not the Government’s job to feed people’s children. Then we need to look at why people are struggling to put food on the table and what can be done about it?

The first would be looking at the cost of living and doing something about it. The second would be to analyse why some people work 40hrs a week and are still living hand to mouth. If those things aren’t addressed (which they won’t be because it’s a Tory government) does that mean the kid’s that aren’t being fed should just be left to fend for themselves? Is it their fault their parents are struggling to put food on the table?

four Schools should be reporting hungry children to social services not whinging on here. There is no need whatsoever in this day and age with all of the options available for any child to be hungry!

It is neglect. Pure & Simple.

That’s £1.70 per school child per year. Are you Dianne Abbott?

You're swimming against the tide on mumsnet.

Every woman has the right to have children, whether she (and her partner) can afford to feed, clothe and house them. It's all about what the adults want you see, not about whether or not the child will have a stable upbringing.

It’s not going to come from MPs lunches though is it. Because the cost of providing them is tiny in comparison to the cost of funding free school meals.

also you are absolutely wrong that we “have the money” to pay for the NHS but just “choose” to underfund it. We have an enormous national debt and yearly deficit. We can’t afford the services we do have at the current tax take.

You are spot on there

for those who are supporting the tory narrative here, a film suggestion for you: "I... Daniel Blake" that might possibly help you understand life outside your ivory tower!

There are people on their knees atm, families not able to function, disabled and ill claimants who can't survive with the increases. Have a bloody heart.

Yes it is. It is absolutely our business to feed children. And the elderly. And those who don't have the means to feed themselves.
It is our responsibility to look after those around us, who for whatever reason are not able to look after themselves. And it is our business to empower those around us to look after themselves - not beat them down for being unable to do that.

The vulnerable members of society need those who aren't to show up for them. It's your responsibility to do that as much as it is mine and everyone else's. That's what being per of a first world country means.

Well then they are very very welcome to use the foodbanks available everywhere to them coldandverytired We even have a delivery service around here for those with disabilities!

There is no excuse whatsoever for ANY child to be hungry.

@pedropony76
You do realise free school meals have been a thing for years and years....don't you?

It's not 'this government' who are letting kids go hungry

As others say. The money is given to the families, what they choose to spend it on is sometimes a different story. See the supermarket employee post upthread for example

Genuinely expect the workhouse to be reintroduced in England if the Tories continue. Or maybe we could ship the hungry children to Rwanda.

Living a full life is being properly independent, earning money, taking responsibility and running your own life. It is not more and more handouts. It is not helpful to anyone to ruin their chances of a fulfilling life and dignity. Condemning them to a life of poverty with nothing to show for their life here on earth.

You can’t get unlimited food bank referrals. I’m surprised that someone who works at a food bank doesn’t know that.

I thought that you had to be referred to a food bank, you couldn't just turn up and use it?

Hear hear