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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:
MerlinEmrys · 18/05/2017 10:03

I don't want or need the free school meals for my soon to be reception age DS. I can afford to feed my own child. It wouldn't cost me the same as it costs the government to feed him myself!

It's a total waste of money and should be only be for those who really need it.

QueenofPentacles · 18/05/2017 10:03

How about reforming the entire country so that nurses ( if we have any left after they are all sent back to their motherland) starve... and also children.
Wake up, the Tories are carrying out the key elements of the repeal of the policies that protected the poor, the vulnerable and the needy.
And all that WILL impact on everyone regardless of financial status.

dangermouseisace · 18/05/2017 10:04

So the Tories (with lib dems) brought in the infant FSM. That meant many schools had to suddenly come up with a kitchen, as many had stopped providing a cooked meal at lunchtime. I remember the stress that caused at our primary. And now, they are saying scrap them…so that will mean less demand, and maybe many schools will stop providing a meal again. All that wasted time and energy setting up kitchens.

My eldest didn't get the universal free school meals. Example lunches being brought in despite guidance- packet of crisps and a chocolate bar (no sandwich etc), jam sandwiches/nutella sandwiches. I know this as my son would complain about my healthy-ish lunches, and the lunch box police examining his but not the other kids lunch boxes- presumably because if they removed the offending item the kid would have nothing to eat. Funnily enough, my other 2 (did get FSM) didn't come across this kind of situation- you have a healthy packed lunch or a FSM instead, no excuses

ClarkWGriswold · 18/05/2017 10:05

Is this what we have become? Thinking of ways to hurt the neediest most?

FFS how is MEANS TESTING free school meals hurting the neediest most? Talk about twisting things to suit your own agenda.

makeourfuture · 18/05/2017 10:06

Wake up, the Tories are carrying out the key elements of the repeal of the policies that protected the poor, the vulnerable and the needy.

Indeed. The mask is slipping now.

origamiwarrior · 18/05/2017 10:07

QueenofPentacles

Do you know what universal means? And the difference between universal free school meals and means-tested free school meals?

Clue: the Tories are scrapping the first and keeping the second.

AppleOfMyEye10 · 18/05/2017 10:10

As can be seen on this thread, many of the posters can afford to send their D.C. In with meals. So why should they be provided with it, if it isn't necessary. By all means, those who can't afford it should have it but not everyone.
It's a waste of money and it's good that it's being looked into.

Redpony1 · 18/05/2017 10:10

I'm all for this policy! It should have remained means tested.

QueenofPentacles · 18/05/2017 10:11

Yes of course free breakfasts are cheaper, Toast, Cereal.

And then they will take away the provision for poorer families...also you are quoting the ruddy METRO

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 18/05/2017 10:11

The means testing isn't exactly rigorous now though. You can not work and earn more than a worker and qualify yet anyone earning just over 16.1k will not qualify if they receive WTC. And not just will your child receive a free lunch but also a free breakfast.

GloriaGilbert · 18/05/2017 10:13

Pentacles your comments are nonsensical.

CheeseQueen · 18/05/2017 10:14

But their are many thousands of working poor people who don't qualify for FSM for whom £2 a day for just one kid is an expense they could do without. If you have 2 kids on £2 a day that's £20 a week, £80 a month.

Yep, we don't qualify. As I said earlier on in the thread, if we got it, it'd be lovely. We don't need it though. If I wanted them to have school dinners, I'd have to scrimp and save as it's over £10 a week and that's an extra expense that isn't always easy to come by when you have two kids like here. £20 a week on school dinners? Heck, no.
WHICH is why they both take packed lunches.
As I know we couldn't comfortably afford them. I don't expect to get them free when we don't need them.

CheeseQueen · 18/05/2017 10:16

I dislike many Tory policies, but this is a good one. The vast majority of children don't need the government to pay for their school lunches because they have parents that can do it for them or who can make them a packed lunch. There are far better things to spend public money on rather than things that people can reasonably be expected to pay for for themselves.

My point exactly but said a lot more eloquently. Grin

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 10:17

People love means testing because they get that warm, fuzzy feeling of crass superiority that comes from not being one of those poor sods who "can't even afford to feed their own child".

Imagine, a mother who can't even afford to feed her child.

You know the types, the ones who probably didn't have enough brain cells to only have as many children as they can afford, or the entitled paupers who squeeze them out and expect everyone else to pick up the tab.

Keep the means testing, I want to prove I'm not one of those! Then I can join in with the chorus of "I can afford to feed my own child, thank you very much." Well done all of you, well done.

Badbadbunny · 18/05/2017 10:23

People love means testing because they get that warm, fuzzy feeling of crass superiority that comes from not being one of those poor sods who "can't even afford to feed their own child".

So why don't we go the whole way and have the state providing everything that everybody wants! Give everyone just "pocket money" and provide them all with a house, car, job, possessions, etc?? Then everyone will be equal won't they?

GahBuggerit · 18/05/2017 10:23

Personally the universal FSM has been a huge help to me. Im in the position where we aren't poor, but we also cant afford to do days out with the kids, havent had a holiday for years, buy most of our clothes from ebay or charity shops. So I guess you could say we're struggling but getting by.

the FSM has saved me nearly £80 a month which has been a huge help meaning I have a bit more money spare to treat the kids and even save up a little here and there.

I do think the comments about children going hungry is a tad dramatic though. If the parents are that poor that the kids would literally go hungry then surely they would then quality for FSM anyway.

brasty · 18/05/2017 10:23

I am in two minds about FSM. Has it improved the eating habits of children? If it has, then it will save money in the long run for the NHS.

Tanith · 18/05/2017 10:23

I wonder if those who think it's a waste of money are aware just how much the caterers actually spend on the food?

School meal charges are used to subsidise school budgets. That'll be one important reason why the Conservatives want to scrap it: they can get away with less funding for schools because the schools will increase meal costs to make up the shortfall.

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 10:24

You know what, I've started so I'll finish.

It's not just about children who would otherwise be hungry getting fed, it's about humanity. It's about decency and not shaming or singling out the less well off for not having the means to feed their child. Imagine being that mother. Imagine being the only mother who couldn't afford to feed her child, whilst everyone else waves away the offer of free meals because who couldn't afford the basics of food in the mouths of babes??

Policies for this country aren't just about money, they're about what it's like for people to live in this country. ALL the people of this county. It's not just about enough money to go round and everyone getting what they need, it's about humility and dignity for everyone. DIGNITY, people. So I really advocate everyone accepting a nutritious meal for their child, and paying for that with taxes which aren't shameful - where's the shame in being able to afford private schooling? Because politics isn't just about money. It's about people.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 18/05/2017 10:24

Actually, I detest most of what the current Conservative party stand for & agree with them on very, very little - but I don't disagree with this.

Neither of my two eldest DCs received free school meals in KS1 & it wasn't a problem. DD does receive them (Year 1) and it has always bemused be TBH.

Of course, provide them for those who cannot afford school meals or to send a packed lunch - but for everyone? If schools were even adequately funded in other areas, I wouldn't have an issue with it. But they aren't. They are struggling. So why are they having to provide free meals to children whose parents could easily afford to pay? Confused

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 10:26

If schools were even adequately funded in other areas, I wouldn't have an issue with it. But they aren't. They are struggling.

It wouldn't be Tories setting school strangling funding though, would it.

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 10:28

Then everyone will be equal won't they?

Because it's not a question of everyone being equal, it's a question of everyone being treated with equal humanity.

makeourfuture · 18/05/2017 10:28

Imagine being the only mother who couldn't afford to feed her child, whilst everyone else waves away the offer of free meals because who couldn't afford the basics of food in the mouths of babes??

Will they supply wrist bands or colour-coded cards to those on free meals....just for "efficient administration"?

Sallystyle · 18/05/2017 10:28

Bloody hell.

I actually agree with something the Tories plan to do for once.

They still get a free breakfast. Those on a very low income still get FSM. What is the problem?

GahBuggerit · 18/05/2017 10:31

I dont understand this singling out thing?

How do people know who gets FSM? I certainly never shouted it from the rooftops as a kid, my Mum didnt..........no one knew. And before Universal FSM I certainly didnt know who qualified for them.

Why woudl they feel singled out? I just dont get that Confused