To be hacked off that well off families are now getting CB,help with childcare and now free school meals when those on a lot less are losing CB?

[Retropear]

I thought it was necessary to take CB off those on 50k so why are those on a lot more getting yet more money given to them?

It's not fair.

ihateGO- not in London, I would imagine, but doable elsewhere. 2 DC, couldn't manage 3.

QS- we fill out the form for nursery grant along with our fee remittance- school (and the attached private nursery) provide the forms for the LA, and expect us to complete them.

I know a family where we are and I reckon they're probably earning about 100k between them. They've sent their oldest to private school, but have since said that they don't think they can afford for the other child to go now. We have 3dc, so definitely out for us, not that we're earning 100k either [I wish]

Quint the 15 hours free nursery only applies if the child is over 3 years old. it has nothing to do with income.

I'm home so DS5 (3.5) could easily be home, but he just started playgroup because he needs the stimulation and the socializing - gives him a good base for when he goes to reception next year.

my older ones started at 2.5 or even at 2 (for different reasons) and we had to pay until they were 3.

my kids don't and won't ever go to private schools.
DH earns just above 100k (before tax!) but as I said we have 6 kids.

We don't and I think we shouldn't receive CB, but roughly 10k/head (after tax) here is surely beaten by 20k+/head in our friend's house where they both work and have 1DD. they get CB. seems unfair.

Unfortunately something is always unfair!

Childless people might argue it's unfair that you got lucky 6 times!

or (the less charitable) that your family is far more of a drain on the NHS and the education system!

What is fundamentally unfair is that there are children who do not receive what they need to thrive through the circumstances of their birth, and if that inequality can be in some way addressed by me not receiving CB, then actually- it's worth it. Children have no control over whom they are born to, the conditions they must live in etc.

and mine have PITA packed lunches now - school meals are nice here but £10.25/week

times 4 is £41.00/ week for food they don't always finish. we had to go for the cheaper option.

There's a Hungarian saying I often like to quote: "If you are given (something) accept it, if you are beaten run away."

if school meals were free for my children they'd have it, without a second thought or any guilt whatsoever.
and the money saved would be spent on their ever increasing number of after school activities.

bsc

you mean DH got lucky 6 times?

I cynically believe they are trying to ban packed lunches and offer this sweetner for the first 3 years. It will pay for itself massively if parents have to pay for school meals for the next 10 years.

... I don't envy you making all those packed lunches though! Hate making packed lunches...

Interesting theory hoopers.

and exactly what you said about the relief of inequality! .

which is why I said our family don't and should not recieve CB.
but theirs shouldn't either, not because I'm jealous of it, because I'm not (believe me, I'm not, ), but because they don't need it either and that amount should also go to someone way more in need!

hoopers
ooh, that will be fun!

imagine the menus they'd have to provide!

-diary free
-wheat free

• gluten free
• sugar free
• kosher
• halal
• vegetarian
• vegan
• egg free
• nut free
• reduced calorie
• citrus free

what did I miss?

I agree- it should be on household income, but the tax system isn't set-up that way. It's been implemented ridiculously. You also risk high earners begrudging paying into the system if they are getting absolutely nothing out (assuming private healthcare, fee-paying schools etc), and that's not what you want- you want them to be invested in the system, to want to support those that need that bit more support.

(I'm waiting for BIWI to turn up and demand carb-free! )

I'm always amazed on here how many say they can produce a packed lunch that's both cheaper and healthier than school dinners. I think I'm a reasonable cook/housekeeper but hand on heart I can't do it. if I throw money at the problem they can perhaps be nicer/more appetizing (baby bel cheeses individually wrapped cereal bars (not nuts) naice ham etc). But realistically not healthier (school dinners pledge to have 3 or their 5 a day and usually some class 1 protein) nor cheaper (pre-wrApped cheeses =£3, enough ham =£5 bread =£1.50, fruit =£4-5 , frubes or similar £2-3, butter =£1.50 individual juices =£2.50, cereal bars(nut free) =£2.50. Yes I could give them a cheese sandwich (which they both hate) a packet of cheap crisps and an apple +a bottle of tap water cheaper, but not as nice.

Meant to say I spend my cb on school dinners ! I have read the research and think hand on heart it's the best use of the money. (I know I'm lucky I don't need it to heat the house)!

Wish, processed food would not be cheaper than school dinners. If you make your own it's much cheaper.
Cereal bars are expensive ( full of additives)you can make bannana cakes for much less.
A home baked ham would cost £5 and would do a meal plus a whole week of sandwiches for two children.
Yogurts are 69p for six in aldi.
Fruit aldi do specials six pears for 69p for example.
Make your own bread, much cheaper than buying bread.

Look at the websites where two people eat well for £10 per week. Five lunches would be a doddle.

and stuff's cheaper when you buy it bulk or BOGOF.

I never said mine were "healthier" or not, but I'd rather they ate the cheese and lettuce sandwich, yogurt drink and piece of fruit (which i think is fine) then left the baked salmon with jacket potato and cauliflower (mine hate all three).

we have different ideas what's healthy, but you can't deny that any food in their bellies are healthier than the healthiest food left on their plates.

ok, maybe not any food, but YKNWIM

Who is going to qualify for the free school meals? Everyone?

It's also conceivable that high income households have little disposable income.

Or that their children are at fee paying schools and not the local one.

Why are people tolerating bad / unhealthy school dinners at their children's schools?

sash - my focus is trying to improve my son's education at school. i want him to pass exams.

Bad school dinners is much less of a priority because he gets decent food at home. Not sure how i could change what they provide anyway.

All infant school children will now qualify for free school meals, from 2014, regardless of parental income.

Given that the vast majority of Mumsnetters seem to use some kind of childcare where children are fed, something is badly wrong that so few Mumsnetters are prepared to allow their children to have school meals. I really hope this policy will stir up a bit of people power and will get schools providing decent meals, just as most nurseries seem to manage.

There is absolutely no need for school dinners to be poor quality. If decent products are sourced locally with a bit of imagination and skill, it's possible to produce good meals which don't cost more

I do however think that peer pressure and the fact that its harder to control exactly what older kids eat make it more tricky at school though. At nursery my kids had fantastic meals, sitting round a 'family table' with practically one adult to child ratio and time to encourage any reluctant eaters. Realistically even if a school provides first rate meals, staff can't possibly ensure every child eats a decent amount of a healthy meal. As they get older they may take a full meal but just eat the potato, or choose a jacket potato and leave the filling, or whatever.

Maybe they can't afford it nan.

I support FSM because the quality and value will rise if take up is higher, and the government footing the bill ensures that. Children can take or leave any meal but in my experience eat best when the child next to them is eating the same thing.