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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Free school meals

171 replies

heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:00

Why do KS1 kids get free school meals? I think it is such a waste of public money. I can't understand why it is still being pushed? I understand that some parents struggle, I get that, but why open it up to everyone else?! Our school doesn't have a functioning kitchen, the best they can churn out is tinned hot dogs, so they buy in meals from a catering company. This must cost a fortune & it makes me mad. Why should tax payers fund school meals, it is up to parents to provide for their kids. Set a good example and cook decent food it is not that difficult!!

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:03

Because lots of parents can't afford meals but don't qualify for FSM.

Because lots of parents send in unsuitable packed lunches.

Because eating together it an extra learning experience that lots of children don't get at home.

GlitterGlue · 09/06/2017 23:06

This reply has been deleted

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Smoothyloopy · 09/06/2017 23:08

You do know the election is over don't you

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/06/2017 23:09

I agree it's a waste of money. It's cost schools money as now people don't need to apply for the meals so schools lose out on pp money

But the words. Free. Children. Meal basically mean that people will think it's so brilliant they will not see any down side and you can pretty much get away with anything then.

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/06/2017 23:10

But irrelevant now anyway.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:12

What a load of horse shit, packed lunch does not cost a lot. If parents still can't figure out what is healthy now then god help them. They eat together regardless anyway whether they have a home pack up or school meal.

OP posts:
nostringstoholdmedown · 09/06/2017 23:13

Sure in a lot of circumstances it is a waste of money. But it means a child gets at least one hot meal a day.

I thought I read in the Conversative manifesto that they wanted to change this to a free breakfast instead?

GlitterGlue · 09/06/2017 23:14

To be entirely honest it may be better to expand free school meals to more of the working poor. But would the costs of administering that exceed the savings?

But yes, election over, for now...

Onwards with the 6.8p breakfasts. 8/10 of a value weetabix each, apparently.

PortiaCastis · 09/06/2017 23:15

Yep I watched Jamie Oliver on the Last Leg too, very good way of demonstrating the tory idiocy

Maryann1975 · 09/06/2017 23:16

I agree with you. Thousands of ks2 and 3 children are going without food because their parents can't afford it, (I think the threshold for a free school meal for these children is around 17k which is a really small household income) yet ks1 children who come from households earning £100k are being given a free meal. I don't get it at all.

arethereanyleftatall · 09/06/2017 23:16

At least it's a benefit that definitely goes to the child.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:18

It kind of is irrelevant in a way regarding the election but our school still offers this to ks. It annoyed me at the time when they offered it to me & the election just reminded me of how pointless it is. It is such a waste of tax payers money. It annoys me when people see free for children think it is marvellous. Take this money & give it to the NHS or to the police or to teachers.

OP posts:
li1972 · 09/06/2017 23:21

Apart from wales (labour majority for years) and NO free school meals here.

PlymouthMaid1 · 09/06/2017 23:22

I think it is a ridiculous idea. Target the parents on benefit with the free meals and stop wasting money. It isn't hard to make a healthy cheap packed lunch. Perhaps schools could send a suggestion sheet home to help.

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:32

Target the parents on benefit with the free meals and stop wasting money

Have you not heard of the working poor? Those parents who do not qualify for FSM but have less money than those who do?

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:35

They eat together regardless anyway whether they have a home pack up or school meal

And those kids with wanker parents who dont supply them with meals? Those 4/5/6 year olds who don't have the knowledge or ability to make them for themselves? Should we just throw them under the bus?

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:36

The working poor!!!! How much does an apple/pear from Aldi cost + cereal bar/Kitkat + sandwich + store own brand yogurt + water/squash = next to fuck all. Stop making excuses.

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:37

Gosh, you are very angry aren't you. And quite aggressive.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:37

Those who don't supply lunch = social services.

OP posts:
NeverTwerkNaked · 09/06/2017 23:38

I was sceptical but Jamie Oliver just argued the case very persuasively on the last leg

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:39

I'm not aggressive, I'm just passionate about the abuse of public money. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't make me aggressive:

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:40

Those who don't supply lunch = social services

And? What then? When CS are involved but nothing changes?

PamBagnallsGotACollage · 09/06/2017 23:40

Giles , schools still get pupil premium for those children who would have been eligible for free school meals in the old system. Just as parents of KS2 children have to apply for FSM, parents of FS2 and KS1 children can apply for FSM (even though the would get the FSM without applying) to enable the school to still receive pupil premium for those children who need it.

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:40

No, really, you are quite aggressive.

rolopolovolo · 09/06/2017 23:43

The OP is a goady moron who clearly is here to pick a fight. Why not NOT give her one?
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