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School Meals: Hull
22 January 2020
Lead MP
Diana R. Johnson
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EducationForeign AffairsBenefits & WelfareParliamentary Procedure
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about school meals: hull in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
It is very nice to see you back in your place, Mr Deputy Speaker... The scheme that Hull City Council entered into with its academies was of particular benefit to them. That brings me to why I initiated this debate, and to what has happened over the last 12 months. In January 2019 the price of a school meal in Hull, which had been 50p, doubled to £1 after academy heads decided to reduce their schools’ contributions to the subsidy funding agreement... This is extremely disappointing, as Hull’s strong reputation for supporting healthy, low-cost school meals cannot simply be abandoned. For me, politics is about standing up when something is not right, rolling up my sleeves and fighting to challenge it.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Sunderland West
My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech on a very important subject... I absolutely agree with her.
Lyn Brown
Lab
Torbay
As my hon. Friend is saying, there is undeniably a link between educational attainment and free school meals...
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) on bringing this debate forward... Does she feel, as I do, that when it comes to making provision for those who are at the bottom of the poverty level and who need our help to get at least one square meal a day, the Government need to respond in a very positive way?
Andrew Percy
Con
Brigg and Goole
In a moment.
Government Response
Michelle Donelan
EducationForeign AffairsBenefits & WelfareParliamentary Procedure
Government Response
I congratulate the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) on securing this important debate... I am more than happy to meet the hon. Member, or any other Member, to discuss this subject or any other within my brief, because these are important topics and there is a lot of mileage in what has been brought up today. We have committed to review this once the roll-out of universal credit is finished, and I will ensure that I personally examine the eligibility criteria... Our work goes beyond the school gates. The Government’s holiday activities and food programme supports disadvantaged children to access healthy food and enriching activities over the school holidays, which is vital...
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.