Free school dinners?

[Deleted User]

As a side point - I think school meals should be free for all children in local authority schools.

bestpud

subsoniccoyote wrote: »

I am getting fed up with these complaints of "us workers are worse off than the unemployed".

Would you prefer the unemployed/incapacitated were worse off?

Do you want to just give benefits to everyone?

There are rules. Love them or loathe them we can't change then to suit ourselves.

The rules state that the unemployed should be looking for work unless there are mitigating circumstances so they should be in work soon enough and then they will be in the same situation as you.

I agree and I know what you mean.

This is the one case though where I feel the employed genuinely do get a bum deal.

If someone is actually bringing in less then they would be, or were, on benefits, then imo, they should still be entitled to free school meals for their children.

I don't know of another instance when the system really is unfair.

welshsue

subsoniccoyote wrote: »

As a side point - I think school meals should be free for all children in local authority schools.

Hmm, well in Powys they have recently introduced free breakfasts for primary school children at a cost of £8million. Now they are talking about closing 7 secondary schools in Powys to make 1 large one due to lack of funds.... bearing in mind at least 3 of these schools are the top performers in wales and according to the welsh assembly should not be closed.
Imagine what they would do if all school meals were offered free.

lovetowinacar

bestpud wrote: »

I agree and I know what you mean.

This is the one case though where I feel the employed genuinely do get a bum deal.

If someone is actually bringing in less then they would be, or were, on benefits, then imo, they should still be entitled to free school meals for their children.

I don't know of another instance when the system really is unfair.

I agree Best Pud that this area is most unfair - a family can be on WTC due to low income and really trying and yet have to pay out £10 per week on school meals - £30 for 3 children is alot if working and trying to make ends meet - yes people should get benefits BUT there needs to be some revision when it comes to items like free school meals for workers on low pay.

ariarnia

"Children who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seeker's Allowance in their own right qualify as well." - Can children be in school and qualify for income-based job seekers in their own right?

AnxiousMum

If you want your children to have something hot in the cooler months have you considered a hot food flask? My guys have them and they take things like spaghetti bolognese, a good hearty soup, stew, lasagne etc. They too like their hot meals at lunchtime but much prefer something with some flavour and not soggy! I have five boys, both of us work, and we cannot afford the school dinners, but my kids much prefer to have a hot meal from home in their food flask.
Doesn't take alot of work - when you're making a spaghetti - make extra - use some of it to freeze as individual portions, use some of it for a lasagne individual portion - heat them up in the morning and put into the prewarmed hot food flask. Alot tastier than a free hot meal, and alot less expensive than you having to pay for school dinners.

OrkneyStar

karenx wrote: »

Im in scotland and recieve WTC and get free school meals, there is a limit as to how much you actually earn to be able to recieve them free, income not including tax credits etc, wages alone.
Here is the link to it on my local council website-

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/support/school-grants

I think this might only be Edinburgh, not Scotland-wide, as it is a council thing from what I can see.
Normally WTC payment stops any entitlement to free school meals, and if you start to earn too much to get WTC, then will likely not qualify on income basis ?
Does the WTC not cover the school meal cost ?

Robbie64

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I think this might only be Edinburgh, not Scotland-wide, as it is a council thing from what I can see.
Normally WTC payment stops any entitlement to free school meals, and if you start to earn too much to get WTC, then will likely not qualify on income basis ?
Does the WTC not cover the school meal cost ?

Yes, WTC continues Government policy first introduced with Family Credit back in 1988 of including a nominal amount for school meals.

I believe the free school meals / maximum WTC in payment for Scottish residents is some sort of trial which will (if it hasn't been already) be extended to all of Scotland at some point:

http://www.cpag.org.uk/scotland/meals_bill_main.htm

DX2

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I think this might only be Edinburgh, not Scotland-wide, as it is a council thing from what I can see.

Nope Highland council/Aberdeen council has the same policy.

OrkneyStar

DX2 wrote: »

Nope Highland council/Aberdeen council has the same policy.

It is not Scotland-wide at the moment, I don't know all the areas it does include though....will that do ?