Free school meals could address child poverty, says Labour MP

A Labour MP has argued that free school meals could help to tackle child poverty.

Although the government has ruled it out so far, Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, wants to see the measure introduced when economic conditions improve.

Speaking to BBC Politics North, he said: “At the moment, we haven’t found a way to pay for [universal free school meals], so it’s not government policy.

“But as an MP who’s listening to headteachers, parents and children in my constituency, my job is also to campaign and fight for them.

“I do believe this would be a significant measure that would tackle child poverty.”

North Tyneside Conservative councillor Lewis Bartoli argued that this would be the wrong approach, as it would mean meals for more affluent families would also be subsidised.

"I accept there's probably a cohort - the squeezed middle - who are struggling," he said.

"But I think that to be giving free school meals to children of parents on more than enough means would feel like a waste of government money that could be spent somewhere else."

Free school meals could help NHS

Amelia Lake, professor of public health nutrition at Teesside University, backed the idea of offering free school meals, as it would teach children to live a healthy lifestyle.

This, in turn, would help save money in the NHS.

"The reality is there are hungry children and quite unhealthy children who go on to be unhealthy adults which costs our NHS a lot of money," she said.

Can my child get free school meals?

If you’re not sure whether your child could be eligible for free school meals, then get in touch with your local council directly. 

In most areas, you can apply through your local authority’s website, which you can find at www.gov.uk.

You can also speak to Citizens Advice or your school if you need extra financial support.