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Greg Mulholland criticises government for refusing to give assurance on free school meals

by Steve Beasant on 27 October, 2015

blankLiberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland has said criticised government for failing to give an assurance that universal free school meals for infants will not be cut.

Universal free school meals were rolled out from last September after Liberal Democrats in government secured the £600mn budget needed for them. All state school pupils in reception, years one and two are entitled to them.

The meals save parents £437 a year per child and benefit 2.8million children across England. Evidence has shown they improve class performance, increase healthy eating and tackle stigmatisation against less affluent pupils.

Attainment of pupils in pilot areas (Durham, Wolverhampton and Newham) found:

  • the students were found to be on average 2 months ahead of their peers elsewhere
  • around 2% more children reached target levels in maths and English at Key Stage 1; while at Key Stage 2 the impact on achievement of between 3% and 5% was a bigger improvement than the 3.6% boost that followed the introduction of a compulsory literacy hour in 1998
  • academic improvements were most marked among children from less affluent families

However, with the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review on 25th November, speculation began last month that free school meals could face cuts by Conservative Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

The summer saw the closure of two projects, which over 400 schools had signed up to, aiming to increase take-up of the meals.

Last month, over 40 health professionals signed a letter in The Sunday Times saying it would be short-term thinking to scrap the policy. Another letter, signed by over 500 headteachers, called on government to in fact go further and extend the policy to all under-11s.

The National Association of Head Teachers, the Trussell Trust and Child Poverty Action Group have all expressed concerns at potential cuts facing free school meals.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, Greg Mulholland MP said:

“Free school meals was a Liberal Democrat policy achieved by the coalition Government and the pilot areas show it has improved attainment particularly for lower-income children. Will the Secretary of State now give those families the assurance and certainty they need by saying that this programme will not be reduced in the comprehensive spending review?”

Nicky Morgan said she was “having to look at all areas of spending and at every line in the Department“.

Commenting afterwards, Greg Mulholland added:

“Universal free school meals for infants was an excellent Liberal Democrat policy we achieved in the coalition government. Hardworking families, especially those on lower incomes who are concerned about the threat from tax credits being cut, need the assurance that free school meals will be fully protected. That ministers have so far failed to give this assurance is not encouraging.”

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