Free school meals for all primary school children, no exceptions

Education ● Social welfare National by mrs_k_teaches · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Fringe · 7 months ago
11

A child who has eaten a proper meal at lunchtime learns better in the afternoon. This isnt complicated and it isnt controversial and yet somehow we are still means-testing school dinners so that some families who need them dont apply because the process is confusing or because they feel ashamed. Extend free meals to all primary children. Every single one. No forms no thresholds no stigma. Yes it costs money but the amount we spend dealing with childhood hunger and poor concentration and health problems down the line costs more. Feed the kids. Work out the spreadsheet later.

mrs_k_teaches 🗳️ Ward Councillor Fringe

📖 The Actually Listen Party

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Discussion (3)

Sign in to join the discussion. Debate and humour are both very welcome.

The fact that we're debating whether children should eat is a damning indictment of the last fourteen years. One of the richest countries on earth. Feed the children. Tax me more to pay for it. I won't notice and they will.
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ngl agree with free meals for primary kids. no child should go hungry at school, that's basic. but where's the money coming from? govt can't keep spending without a plan imo.
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The money comes from the saving later. That's the bit that never gets counted. A well-fed child learns more, needs fewer interventions, has better mental health outcomes, and ends up costing the state less across their whole life. "Where does it come from" is always asked about children's meals and never about VIP covid contracts, which is interesting.
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Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →