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Protest for free school meals for all heads to parliament

Protest for free school meals for all heads to parliament

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Vaseline

On Tuesday 23 July, campaigners, politicians and unions gathered in Parliament to call on the new Labour Party government to provide #FreeSchoolMealsForAll. You would think, given the evidence, that providing free school meals to all primary and secondary school children would be a surefire move from Keir Starmer’s government.

‘Free school meals for all’: campaign in parliament

It goes without saying that providing free school meals to all primary and secondary school children in England is an important measure that could significantly improve the health, wellbeing and educational achievement of millions of schoolchildren.

Currently, eligibility for free school meals is limited, leaving many children from low-income families without access to this vital support. Extending this program to all students would address food insecurity, promote equity, and improve academic performance.

That is why the National Education Union (NEU)-led No Child Left Behind campaign organised a rally outside parliament on 23 July:

There was a lot of interest – other action groups and charities also lent their support:

Some Labour MPs rose above the parapet to call on their government to take action:

Of course these people were right to call on Labour to take action, because the situation and the evidence show why the government must do so.

Entrenched poverty and inequality

As of 2022, around 4.3 million children in the UK are living in poverty, which equates to around 31% of all children. In England, around 1.9 million children are eligible for free school meals, but this leaves a significant number of children who are still in need but do not meet the eligibility criteria. This is due to the strict rules around free school meals under Universal Credit.

The current system does not provide financial support to children from poor families who earn just above the cut-off, meaning that many children miss out on the benefits of free meals.

Food insecurity is an urgent problem that also affects children’s learning and development opportunities.

According to a report by the Food Foundation, 14% of households with children were food insecure in 2021. Children who are hungry or malnourished have a harder time concentrating in class, which in turn leads to poorer educational outcomes.

By providing free school meals to all children, England can ensure that every child gets at least one nutritious meal a day. This is fundamental to their physical and cognitive development.

Promoting equality, improving performance

Free school meals for all would also promote equality among students.

The current system creates a visible divide between those who receive free meals and those who do not, potentially leading to stigma and social exclusion. By offering free meals to every child, regardless of their background, schools can create a more inclusive environment where all pupils are treated equally.

This universal approach would help to remove the shame and embarrassment that some children might feel. It would encourage better social integration and a sense of belonging.

Research has consistently shown that well-nourished children perform better at school. A study by the Institute for Social and Economic Research found that children who received free school meals made greater progress in school than those who did not.

Good nutrition is linked to better concentration, better behavior, and higher attendance rates, all of which contribute to better educational outcomes. By ensuring that all children have access to nutritious meals, schools can create a more level playing field and help close the achievement gap.

‘An investment in all our futures’

Nutrition and education experts are strongly calling for the expansion of free school meals.

Dr Mary Bousted, former joint general secretary of the NEU, argues that:

A universal free school meals programme would be a game-changer for education in England. It would remove the barriers that hunger creates and allow all children to participate fully in their learning.

Dr Megan Blake, a food safety expert at the University of Sheffield, also emphasises the long-term benefits:

Investing in free school meals for all is an investment in our country’s future. Well-nourished children are healthier, more focused and better equipped to succeed academically and socially.

In general, as the No Child Left Behind campaign says:

We are currently experiencing the greatest cost-of-living crisis in a generation and too many families with young children are falling into poverty.

Free school meals for every child puts money back in parents’ pockets. Money they can use to pay for other basic needs for their children, from heating and food at home to hobbies and after-school clubs.

Free school meals: do it now, Labour

Introducing free school meals for all primary and secondary children in England is a necessary step in tackling child poverty, promoting equality and improving educational outcomes.

With a large number of children living in poverty and many more facing food insecurity, a universal free school meals program would ensure that every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

By investing in the health and well-being of our children, we invest in the future prosperity of our society.

You can support the No Child Left Behind campaign. Use the template to write to your MP here. Also sign the open letter here.

Main image via NSSN – X

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