Free School Meals

The provision of free school meals should be continued due to worsening circumstances faced by millions of families. The debate highlights the Government's failure to show leadership in addressing child poverty and food insecurity.

Highlights the importance of using schools as community anchors to support families. She calls on the Secretary of State to reconsider his approach and integrate nurseries and children’s centres into this initiative.

Expresses disappointment over the decision regarding free school meals during holidays. He urges the Secretary of State to commit to pushing for a more strategic approach in the comprehensive spending review, aiming to roll out the school holiday activity fund nationwide as a universal approach to tackling child poverty.

Raises concerns about predicted 61% higher food bank usage this winter compared to last. He emphasises that while free school meals are essential, more comprehensive measures are needed to address the ongoing poverty crisis.

Welcomes the support given by the Government but expresses concerns about the challenge of providing food for the poorest families. He suggests reconsidering meal vouchers as a means to ensure these families have access to necessary provisions during holidays.

Asks the Secretary of State to extend free school meals until April next year, similar to policies implemented in Wales by Kirsty Williams, to prevent 2,000 children from going hungry during holidays this winter.

Calls for a review of provisions supporting disadvantaged children's access to learning technology at home, noting the disparity in educational progress between those with and without such resources.

Questions whether permanent solutions for free school meals during holidays should be implemented and if it would require raising taxes. He challenges Labour's record on introducing such provisions when they were in power.

Asks the Secretary of State to comment on his colleague’s statement that there have always been hungry children, suggesting this is not a reason for inaction and questioning the sincerity of efforts to reduce child poverty.

References an article by Marcus Rashford highlighting childhood struggles under Labour governments, suggesting it raises questions about their policy commitments to eradicating child poverty.

Welcomes the debate, supports the motion, highlights Scottish Government's £10 million funding for free school meals during holidays. Criticises UK government’s response to Marcus Rashford's petition, argues that it is a political choice to allow children to go hungry despite being in one of the richest countries. Praises the new social security system and child payment scheme introduced by the Scottish Government. Expects support from Scottish Conservatives on this issue.

Throughout the pandemic, the Government has provided significant support for families in financial distress, such as a £20 per week uplift to universal credit and £63 million for local authorities. However, food insecurity continues to rise; Harlow's food bank distributed nearly double the tonnage of last year from January to September 2020. The Food Foundation reports that an estimated 1.9 million children have been affected by food insecurity during this period. I urge the Government to collect and publish data on child food insecurity, extend free school meals over holidays temporarily, consider meal costs when calculating universal credit allowances, implement a private Member's Bill for free breakfasts in disadvantaged schools, and establish holiday activities offering academic catch-up and mental health support.

Acknowledged the new artistic screen displays but noted that technicians are addressing potential distractions. Called Paul Maynard to speak with a four-minute limit.

Emphasised the importance of ensuring right support reaches eligible children in the right manner, noting the £120 million spent over summer holidays. Highlighted the need for a national and universal holiday activity and food support scheme to avoid stigmatisation and child neglect during long breaks. Stressed that strong families matter and people should regain sense of agency. Questioned if the current model returns this autonomy.

Free school meals have been part of the education system for more than a century and should be an additional support on school days in term time. The motion proposes changes that might make a difference, but any such proposal should be considered as part of wider efforts to combat poverty. I welcome the cash injection into welfare and the raising of the income tax threshold so that those on the lowest incomes pay no income tax at all. I am unclear about how Opposition’s proposals will work in practice.

Order was given to reduce speaking time limits to three minutes after the next speaker due to a large number of Members wishing to speak.

There is a problem with child hunger but suggesting that this motion would help is misleading. The debate should focus on long-term and sustainable solutions rather than short-term fixes. The national food strategy review will provide comprehensive recommendations to address issues of child obesity, malnutrition, and food poverty. I call for cross-party support in developing these proposals.

Agrees that no child should go hungry but opposes using schools as welfare providers. Acknowledges the success of universal credit and supports additional funding for local authorities to provide welfare support, including a £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit and extra money for local councils like Wiltshire. Calls for a comprehensive strategy during school holidays and urges Opposition Members to desist from attacking the Government's morality.

Acknowledges commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry and supports the Government’s measures including world-class education, nutritious lunchtime meals, substantial additional funding through the national voucher scheme (£380 million), £63 million in welfare assistance funding to local authorities. Criticises Labour for wanting a full lockdown and refusing to extend free school meals during holidays.

Pays tribute to Marcus Rashford’s campaigning, which helped 1.3 million children receive meals over the summer. Highlights that in Liverpool, West Derby, even before the pandemic, 37% of children were living in poverty. Urges the Government to provide free school meals during holidays and introduces a call for the right to food legislation. Emphasises the non-monetary impact of free school meals on mental health and well-being.

Endorses support for children and families from the Secretary of State, opposes expanding free school meals beyond term time. Criticises Opposition for not implementing policies during their tenure and argues against replacing parental responsibility with state intervention. Highlights need for early intervention and child maintenance service improvements to tackle absentee parents.

The Government's number theatre does not address the real issue of hungry children. The Liberal Democrats introduced free school meals in 1906 and extended them for infant children in government, with Wales and Scotland extending support until Easter next year. England should follow suit to prevent families from going hungry during half-term and Christmas.

The debate highlights the complexity of poverty but argues that increasing state involvement is not a sustainable solution. Instead, communities should look after each other through local charities and support systems, rather than relying solely on government intervention.

Acknowledging the economic contraction and high unemployment rates in constituencies due to the pandemic, quick measures such as extending free school meals are necessary. The speaker advocates for broader support including arts and sports activities, and increasing eligibility criteria.

The debate should focus on the most vulnerable children who have access to various support systems. The speaker criticises the Opposition's approach for prioritising celebrities over addressing the real needs of vulnerable children.

Stressed the importance of protecting and supporting children effectively. Highlighted that during the pandemic, the Government provided unprecedented support for vulnerable children through measures like free school meals but emphasised that they are returning to a more targeted approach rather than ending them completely. Mentioned increased universal credit by £1,000 this year for families and additional funding of £63 million for councils to provide emergency assistance.

Acknowledged Marcus Rashford's efforts in raising the issue. Cited data showing that almost 93,000 children across the north-east received free school meals before the pandemic. Noted an increase of over 50% in Trussell Trust food banks during the start of the pandemic with families being hardest hit. Stressed the need for continued funding and extending offers to more families facing hardships.

Agreed with some points made by Liz Twist but disagreed on the principle that it is the Government's job to ensure children do not go hungry, arguing instead it should be a parent’s responsibility. Emphasised concerns about potentially making temporary measures permanent which could increase welfare state and taxes.

Criticised the inadequacy of universal credit before and during the pandemic, highlighting its inability to support many families. Praised community groups for their efforts in ensuring no child goes hungry but argued that financial support from the Government is necessary to strengthen the safety net.

Calls on the Government to extend the voucher scheme instead of providing free school meals during holidays, emphasising that this is a practical administrative response to closing schools during an unforeseen necessity. She argues against using vouchers as a long-term solution and stresses the need for more comprehensive social reforms.

Congratulates Marcus Rashford on his campaign and criticises the Government for their lack of responsibility in addressing child poverty. She points out that Tory Governments have increased child poverty significantly and argues that children should not be punished for poverty caused by systemic issues.

Highlights the increase in child poverty over the last decade, citing specific numbers from his constituency. He supports extending free school meals during holidays as a measure to assist families facing financial hardships due to the pandemic.

Argues against the permanent extension of free school meals outside of school time and questions funding responsibilities, use of vouchers, and concerns from unions. He also proposes reducing summer holidays to help reduce costs for parents and improve access to food.

Responds by emphasising the personal experience with poverty among Labour Members and constituents, challenging the Conservative Member's claim about understanding child poverty.

Agrees with the importance of free school meals, drawing from personal experience. Criticises the treatment of free school meals as a luxury rather than a basic human right. Mentions that over 6,700 children in Coventry live in poverty and approximately 2,789 receive free school meals. Emphasises the responsibility of the Government to ensure families have food to contribute positively to society.

Expresses indignation over voting on free school meals extension during a crisis. Highlights that more than 4,000 children in Ilford South were eligible for free school meals before the pandemic and this figure has doubled since. Stresses that over 2 million children nationwide are living in food-insecure households due to the pandemic.

Siddiq emphasised the urgent need to extend free school meals during holidays due to rising unemployment and food insecurity. She highlighted that many families are facing financial hardships, with some parents unable to provide adequate meals for their children. The MP stressed the importance of government support in ensuring that vulnerable children receive proper nutrition, especially given the ongoing pandemic and economic challenges.

Social justice has been at the heart of government decisions to help people through the pandemic. The Conservative Government's approach is that work is the best way out of poverty and they have shifted away from the tax credit system where people would be better off not working. The furlough scheme, costing £53 billion, supports families throughout the country. An extra £9.3 billion has been injected into the welfare system to provide an additional £20 per week for families until Easter next year. Councils received extra funding, and all devolved nations have had extra funding through the Barnett formula.