Universal Free School Meals

[sp1814]

What do you think of this scheme?

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/02/free-school-meal-scheme-begins

I think it's a great idea, but then there are others who might think that free school meals don't make sense for those who can afford to pay.

[youngmafbog]

I think it is a good idea. Should be funded by a corresponding cut in the Child benefit though to fund it.

Although I see NJ's point, the reality is that the denizens of the feral underclass (scum to most of us) are simply not responsible and will fund their cider and tabs ahead of their kids. On tv the other week there was a mother complaining her kids went without. Well, judging by the size of her Greggs certainly were not going without her custom!

Mickey, you are pretty out of touch with the modern age. You could no longer give milk - too many supposed allergies now to make it practical.

[Kromovaracun]

"Agree with NJ and OG after all, we don't force people to have children it's their choice, why should they not pay for their upkeep?"

Well, because children don't ask to be born - and bad parents exist. If children aren't taken care of by their parents, they're defenceless and someone needs to do it. It is far more important to ensure that every child is well-nourished and well-educated - that's in the benefit of all society.

[Retrochic]

well-said Kromo. Sometimes we can only write the parents off, but as a society have to try and help the children as it will benefit society in the long run.

[mikey4444]

YMB...rubbish. My local Tesco does a roaring trade in milk ! It was just spiteful to take it away in the first place and at a time when so many children are not getting the right food, its a good idea to bring it back. A boost for the armers and local milkmen. Lets stop whinging about so-called problems and start solving them.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Perhaps we should pay for their clothes,new bikes,smartphones..etc,etc...If the parents cant afford the kids...dont have them!!

[mikey4444]

And if some kids can't drink milk, give them orange juice. This doesn't have to kept in the fridge and would give them much-needed vitamins. Why can't we try fresh fruit ? Lots of solutions to silly invented problems !

[Retrochic]

mikey -Quite a few Primary Schools have free fruit available for children

[mikey4444]

And we in Wales have free school breakfasts, available to any child that requires them, regardless of their parents income. And it have proven to be very effective, as the kids are much better behaved in lessons afterwards.

[naomi24]

Why should meals, milk, fruit, be provided free of charge? Rather than imposing an unwarranted burden upon the tax-payer, people should be encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their families rather than be forced upon the bandwagon of dependency, and resultant expectation, that the Welfare State has created.

[Retrochic]

Because Naomi, if we expose children to healthy food that would not normally get it, hopefully we will sew the seeds which will help them in later life make better choices. I know its a long-shot but healthier kids make healthier adults and in the long run cost the Tax payer less in healthcare in later life.

[naomi24]

You're right - it is a long shot - a very long shot!

[Baldric]

If people have Children that qualify for the meals (and they're not free) then let them pay extra Tax to finance them, we've done our bit for Family, fed them, clothed them out of our pockets, without a penny in Benefits.
If you can't afford it, don't do it, and that includes Breeding!

[sherrardk]

The sweeping generalisation that all of these children all malnourished little souls who don't know what a proper meal looks like is a bit irritating. My two youngest will be getting school dinners which I know they won't overly enjoy (if they eat it at all), at least when I provided their lunches I knew what they were getting and how much they had eaten.

[Baldric]

And that ^^^ would be less of a burden on the Taxpayer!

[Retrochic]

sherradk you are not being forced to give your children school meals, you still have the choice! If you think they won't eat the school meal then keep on providing them with a packed lunch and save the tax payer some money!!

[sherrardk]

Retrochic, actually you are wrong. All reception children at our primary have to have a school provided meal - either the hot option or a lunch box.

[sherrardk]

^ and KS1 pupils

[Retrochic]

sherrak sorry but I don't believe you. There are children with special dietary requirements which cannot be provided by a school meal or lunch box. An article on the BBC said there was only a 75% uptake on the free school meals -so are the remaining 25% of pupils not eating at lunch-time?

[sherrardk]

Believe what you like - at OUR primary school this is the case and I don't much care to be called a liar.

[New Judge]

"Anything that introduces young children to healthy eating is a good thing."

Anyone who believes that school meals and healthy eating should appear in the same sentence is suffering a grave misunderstanding.

The rest of the points raised have been addressed before, but to reiterate:

Parents failing to nourish their children properly should have them taken into care and subsequently rehomed. The responsibility for feeding them properly should not be passed on to schools.

Brightspark has repeated what I said in an earlier question - why not go the whole hog, provide them with beds, pocket money, clothes and days out to visit their parents from time to time.

"Breakfast clubs are a great success". Of course they are. So are food banks. So would be petrol station dispensing free fuel.