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Original poster

Tories going to axe free school meals

640 replies

cannotbelievethistoday · 18/05/2017 06:46

So I have 2 children in private school.

Labour want to put VAT on private school fees, and extend free school meals to all primary children.

Tories are going to remove infant free school meals.

Bloody hell. And still people will vote Tory.

(My 2 kids are in private school - I totally agree with labour on this one)

OP posts:
rale124 · 19/05/2017 13:14

Partisan bullshit aimed at portraying the Tories as nasty, no idea why they resort to such low tactics considering the election is lost for Corbyn and Co anyway.

Any and all government funding should be means tested, in a time when we as a country are having to balance the books it is disgraceful that money intended to be a safety net against povety is been given to well off people.

The welfare state is a safety net not free money for the well off.

Biggreygoose · 19/05/2017 13:16

Very.

But don't get me started on the Lab 100,000 houses a year and everyone on Ultra fast broadband for everyone by 2020...

Just irksome to see any party accused of proposing something they actually aren't.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 19/05/2017 13:24

I agree big i don't support either and i am still not convinced how to vote

They all keep coming up with nice but dim ideas

38cody · 19/05/2017 13:24

*It surely costs less to cook meals for all than for a small(er) number.

•Also, if you remove the FSM and means test them, kids will pick up on some having, and some not. Surely potential for bullying.•
Currently the KS2 children don't get FSM anyway - all it means is reverting to the pre 2014 system of those who qualify get it free, the rest don't. It's already happening in KS2 so there is no work to be done to change it.
There is absolutely NO STiGMA attached to FSM children - only the bursar would know - it's not even on the register now so even class teachers aren't told. The children themselves certainly don't know.
It is strictly confidential and there is no pecking order in the lunch hall.
Those who can pay - will pay and those who can't pay - won't pay.
Very sensible.

1234512345Meh · 19/05/2017 13:35

I'm a teacher.

I can confirm we DO know who's FSM and they are on our registers (not visible to other students)

We are expected to know who these children are and write regular reports on how we ensure their progress is in line with other non FSM child and put bids in for any equipment/opportunities they may miss out on. This extends to the time they have free meals and 5 years after.

Also, schools have invested in infrastructure to provide these meals. What a waste that the volume of meals won't be needed anymore so all that equipment will not be fully utilised.

I'm sure it's already been mentioned but I hope they've thought through breakfast staffing.

BeyondThePage · 19/05/2017 13:45

It surely costs less to cook meals for all than for a small(er) number

not really, if the take up of paid for meals is low, then they can go back to having meals shipped in in polystyrene crates from a central kitchen like they used to before FSM for all here.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 19/05/2017 13:57

Also, schools have invested in infrastructure to provide these meals. What a waste that the volume of meals won't be needed anymore so all that equipment will not be fully utilised.

This

usernamealreadytaken · 19/05/2017 14:05

The welfare state is a safety net not free money for the well off.

^ This, with bells on ^

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 19/05/2017 14:06

I have pointed this out before FSM aren't available to those on WTC so this will hit those on low pay but not those with parents who don't work who may well get more money than those who do.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 19/05/2017 14:09

Qualifying Benefits:
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance -income-based (JSA)
Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you receive both income-based and contribution-based JSA/ESA you should still qualify if the amounts you receive are the same or if income-based part is higher. If however, contribution-based part is higher you will not qualify
Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an income that does not exceed £16,190
Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Universal Credit (Evidence of this benefit will be required)
Working Tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit (Please note this is a temporary qualification and we will need to be able to verify this entitlement)

Not sure I class 16.1k a living wage either but if you earn over that your children will not get fsm.

user1490806299 · 19/05/2017 14:19

I am really happy about free school lunches. We are now able to pay them if needed but would not have been in that position couple of years ago. We earned enough not to be able to get free meals but it would have been struggle to pay them.

I was raised in a country where everybody gets free meals. My parents earned enough not to be thought to be poor. But money was tight and my parents seem not to have clue how to feed their kids. My breakfast was hot water with milk (if there was any) and sugar. There was nothing else. At dinner could be as basic as a loaf of bread for the whole family. That's all. I was so happy to get proper food at least once a day at school. Despite this I was underweight and was send to hospital clinic to figure out why.

chickpeaburger · 19/05/2017 15:10

user1490806299 you must be well aware of proper nutrition as it sounds you were under nourished. Why would you want to feed your children school means?

Lunch packets and sandwiches/salads are so easy, quick and inexpensive to make at home and they can be nutritional.

makeourfuture · 19/05/2017 15:18

Lunch packets and sandwiches/salads are so easy, quick and inexpensive to make at home and they can be nutritional.

Has anyone thought about economy of scale in reference to this?

TheNiffler · 19/05/2017 15:20

Do you really believe the breakfast thing will happen? I don't, I think this is an empty promise, that superficially looks good for the election, and is designed as a sop for the removal of FSM.

Those of you who've accessed the manifesto might want to have a look at the tax bits. Corporation tax down to 17%, no mention of closing loopholes, reneged on the promise that tax for the C£45k bracket will not increase.

And I'll say again, the Dementia Tax. They have already been in talks with insurance companies to set up policies to enable equity loans, they've promised they won't put a cap on premiums, and there will be a clause that they can force the sale of a home through that will not be 'at best price' (similar to a repossession sale presumably). That is not a simple 'let's get Granny to pay for her care, and it doesn't just apply to dementia cases either. That's the house they've worked for all their lives, when they've already paid into the NHS through their taxes.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 19/05/2017 15:48

They have already been in talks with insurance companies to set up policies to enable equity loans

Any proof or are you guessing.

That's the house they've worked for all their lives

Yes. Not sure that people work hard for huge increases in equity however.

makeourfuture · 19/05/2017 15:56

They have already been in talks with insurance companies to set up policies to enable equity loans, they've promised they won't put a cap on premiums, and there will be a clause that they can force the sale of a home through that will not be 'at best price' (similar to a repossession sale presumably).

It is very complex. Aside from these insurance companies, this new proposal will undoubtedly mean extra business for lawyers. I can't sort it out really....

38cody · 19/05/2017 16:31

Also, schools have invested in infrastructure to provide these meals. What a waste that the volume of meals won't be needed anymore so all that equipment will not be fully utilised

Twaddle - the infrastructure is there - KS2 are already paying and KS1 will do the same - as they did 2 years ago - not a biggie.
I'm also a teacher and FSM PP pupils are NOT on our electronic register - the details are available for teachers if req'd for extra support selection - on a need to know basis.
If it's there on your schools electronic register - how slack of your school!

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 19/05/2017 16:36

38cody

Twaddle - the infrastructure is there

Well yes...

That's exactly what the phrase schools have invested in infrastructure means

That the infrastructure is there...

CheeseQueen · 19/05/2017 16:43

Surely that means that the poorest children are now entitled to two free meals a day, rather than just the one atm. Therefore the social provision actually goes up.... Unless I'm missing something.

That's exactly how I see it too. Two free meals, whereas there only used to be one.

makeourfuture · 19/05/2017 16:43

schools have invested in infrastructure

Does anyone have a figure on how much this would be...nationwide?

Are they going to try and sell it off and get a little back?

TheNiffler · 19/05/2017 16:49

It's common knowledge in some companies.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 19/05/2017 16:50

No idea make as it varies from school to school

So one of our local schools already had a suitable kitchen in the infants . So no big change except for rearranging staff and lengthening (slightly) the lunch 'hour'

No kitchen in the juniors as before the infants kitchen supplied them with meals. So no real change there as the junior school wasn't changing

They would have had to build an extension and put a kitchen in it if junior schools were included

Obviously all schools are different but i would also think it would be very difficult to change back if you see what i mean

38cody · 19/05/2017 16:58

Obviously all schools are different but i would also think it would be very difficult to change back if you see what i mean

No, don't see what you mean. New buildings? Extensions? Why?
Same kids, same meals, difference is only in who pays for the meals - gov or parents. The school would do exactly what they did in 2013 before universal FSM for KS1 was introduced.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 19/05/2017 17:03

38cody

I didnt say they would have to build an extension now... just that they would have needed to if the FSM had been extended out to the junior school

It wasnt...so no extension

And again...in one local school only

I have no idea what they do in the other school in the village or in your school

ProphetOfDoom · 19/05/2017 17:14

I'm a parent who has really benefited from UFSM - it made a significant difference. I earn too much to qualify for FSM or free school transport (outlay £1100 pa once my two older ones reached secondary). I work in the public sector and have found the increasing cost of living/essentially pay cut year on year incredibly tough financially -I'm on a 2wk no-spend til pay day bar fuel to get to work.

And the quality school meals provided are very good - the school really bought into the idea well nourished pupils do better - and two mums set up a company using locally sourced, non GM, proper food which my children love. Due to economies of scale they could offer fish/meat every day when I can't & it gave me peace of mind.

For the first time ever in over 20 years I am reconsidering my vote.

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