Free school meals

[Blackteadrinker77]

AIBU to be disgusted that our government has voted to effectively take 1 million children's free school meals away?

www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2018/mar/13/one-million-children-hungry-new-plans-free-school-meals

@lostherenow Thank you.

I think it's fairer than the old system (now that I understand it). I do wish there was more emphasis to run catering facilities in schools as social enterprises whereby families who were able to pay, were willing to pay for nutritious food for their children, allowing FSM to rolled out to more families with a higher quality of food being served too all.

Mine both take packed lunch now as so much cheaper than what they charge for school dinners. We have our main meal at night

*think you’re somehow morally superior to those without, personally.(

I am not morally superior, I am one of the idiots who couldn't afford to have as many kids as we wanted because we spent a bloody fortune on tax to subsidise the lazy selfish entitled people YOU described in your post.

When free money stops coming out of nowhere, it gets tricky for some, I give you that.

I’m a single parent of three primary school aged DC. The eldest went into year three in September so no longer eligible for free school meals and when I saw the price of them I got him a lunchbox. I will do the same for the other two. It’s not overly expensive to get lunchbox items, I definitely think it’s cheaper than 3x school dinners a week anyway!

lostherenow oh, then we might actually benefit. What about the people who would lose out though?

Of course the government pay for the meals a year in arrears. So a school has to cover the cost for a year.

I am not morally superior, I am one of the idiots who couldn't afford to have as many kids as we wanted because we spent a bloody fortune on tax to subsidise the lazy selfish entitled people YOU described in your post.

So, you’re in a fortunate position to be able to pay tax yet whine about the poor. Got it.

working parents who wish to join the Childcare Voucher scheme need to do so as soon as possible. Parents can do this by making a salary sacrifice from their pay prior to the closure date – no later than the end of March 2018. If you have any friends, family or colleagues who might benefit, including new parents or those on maternity or shared parental leave, make sure they know now.

This actually changed yesterday, it's been extended for 6 months. Not much info out there yet as the vote was only 'won' yesterday.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/13/childcare-voucher-changes-delayed-after-commons-debate

Ok, so now I understand - it's not family income of 7.400 - its universal credits of 7,400 - family income will be between 18,000 and 24,000 per year.

Weird that the Guardian would have made it so confusing.

I absolutely dont agree with universal free school meals, if you can afford to feed your children then you should. The children would go without need it and there rest of the money is better off spent elsewhere.
What happens to the children whose parents cant afford to but them lunch in school holidays? There really is a bigger problem that needs sorting, there should be no need for free school meals as all parents should be able to afford to feed their kids lunch.

And before you start, I grew up middle class. I just think it’s incredibly unfair the advantages I had that others don’t.

VioletteValentia
you are the one whining about the poor, I am complaining about an unfair system and look forward to things to be made fairer for everybody. Can't ask for more!

There is absolutely no need for poverty in the U.K

I agree.

I suspect it's also a way of reducing school funding as the additional payments for schools in deprived areas are based on number of children claiming FSM

THIS, definitely this. I am a Governor in a very 'deprived' area in the South of this country and the cut to the money received by our school due to this vote is going to severely impact so much of the interventions we use to try and get our disadvantaged children to the same level as those from richer homes.

It really is a dreadful outcome for a huge number of families where this hot lunch is the only food that child may receive that day. I am raging

Universal FSM or similar universal benefits such as winter fuel payments are immoral. They take money from the poor and give it to the better off. These benefits should directed to where they are needed.

upsideup that's precisely why food banks ask for child friendly food in the summer holidays - pasta, pasta sauce etc. It's depressing.

upsideup its not that simple though, its not all about money. If you are in temporary accommodation you may not have cooking facilities. I taught a child who was a young carer and if she wanted a hot meal she had to go out with her Mums card, withdraw the cash, buy the food and then cook it for her and her brother. So the only hot meal they actually got was at school.

There is absolutely no need for poverty in the U.K

As do I, but I don't think we will ever eradicate it, sadly.

I think free schools meals are a good thing on the whole. But obviously some children won't need a free meal and their parents will afford to pay for them. Their parents will be paying tax anyway. And it must be a lot easier for schools to administer if all children under a certain age is entitled to a free meal.

What IS the poverty level in the UK? Genuine question, I cannot find it on the internet.

I found link explaining that the poverty level is %age below the average income, but that doesn't explain anything, you are not poor because you are poorER than others. I am looking for actual figures, does anyone have a link please?

Things definitely should be fairer, but your stance that poor people shouldn’t be supported if they want children seems really harsh.

I'm not sure about the entire UK, but have a read of this, Cucuracha.. a very sobering read:

www.cpag.org.uk/child-poverty-facts-and-figures

I found link explaining that the poverty level is %age below the average income, but that doesn't explain anything, you are not poor because you are poorER than others. I am looking for actual figures, does anyone have a link please?

Relative poverty is a thing. If everyone in a country is a millionaire except you, you’re poor, even if you’d be considered wealthy somewhere wise.

Else*

Ah - this may help with the UK wide figure:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/households-below-average-income-hbai--2