Free school meals in Islington. Do your kids get a good deal?
By abi_silvester | Sunday, October 10, 2010, 17:49
Islington Council has hung on bravely to its stated aim of offering every child in state education a daily free school meal, but at what cost? A council row over the quality of foods being dished out by dinner ladies across the borough erupted last week, with talk of the return of the dreaded turkey twizzler...but what's really going on in our school dining rooms?
The Islington Tribune reported that Deputy Lib Dem leader Councillor Ursula Woolley had expressed concerns that Labour's handling of the free school meal's scheme has been shaky since the council changed hands earlier this year, and that Lib Dem plans for locally-sourced fruit and veg had been scrapped in favour of cheaper alternatives.
Woolley herself has claimed that her own children have come home from school claiming that main courses are running out quicker than before at lunchtime, with those who miss out on the earlier pickings being offering 'macaroni cheese'. She then made the suggestion that the alleged developments suggested a slippery slope towards turkey twizzler territory!
Labour was quick to fight back, pointing out that Cllr Woolley had herself signed the current catering contracts in Islington schools while her party held the reins at the town hall.
We'd be interested to hear what you and your children's experiences of free school meals in Islington has been over the past year. Please let us know how they rate!
Comments
Disgraceful that children of parents earning above the national average income are being given "free school meals" for their children, paid for by people a lot less well off than themselves. For example, I have worked hard all my life and have a full state pension and a miniscule private pension, which I pay tax on, although my total income is about 40% of the "national average income" - about £8500, actually. In addition, I am expected to pay for the "school lunches" of people whose income is 3 times the amount of mine, via Council Tax. This is DISGUSTING. I live on sausages and fish fingers, which is all I can afford, whilst I fund the lifestyle of these people. You have children, then you should pay for them. This should be "means tested" and most recipients of Islington Council largesse would fail it. In my case, WORKING did not PAY
By jfr22 at 15:54 on 21/03/13
ReportI think it's a ridiculous waste of money to offer free school meals to every child- I'm sure many of Islington's parents can afford to pay for a healthy lunch for their children- and probably subsidise those in need. Surely it should be means tested?
By HenriD at 16:00 on 11/10/10
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