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A reckless free-for-all
• I HAVE a child at Hanover Primary School in Islington and was horrified to be handed a note outside the school from a Labour supporter trying to get me to email them to confirm we want free school meals.
I feel that if parents can afford it, they should pay for school meals. Those unable to pay are already able to have free school meals, which is how it should be. We pay for the meals and I think they are great value for money.
Why should everyone have to subsidise school meals, whether they have children or not?
I would prefer the money to be spent elsewhere, on community projects for example.
My main concern is that, if the council starts paying for all primary meals, the standard of school food will suffer. Over time, cutbacks would have to be made.
The menu at present is hugely inspiring and I want it to stay that way, with good-quality produce being used.
In the current climate, free school meals for all is a reckless policy. There are very few pupils in my child’s class who have packed lunches, under a third.
Kate Johnstone
Address supplied
• EVERY penny spent on giving Islington’s schoolchildren a free school meal is worth it, and Councillor Catherine West and her colleagues in the Labour Party should be congratulated for pushing it through the council and getting it delivered so quickly.
Numerous studies have shown that eating a nutritious meal at lunchtime from a young age can help improve the behaviour of children in school and at home. That’s why this scheme is so important and should be provided at all our primary schools as soon as possible.
The Lib Dems have allowed the scheme in only six of our schools so far. Why are they dragging their feet on this?
Surely they can see the benefits – a family with two children at primary school will save about £17 a week under this new scheme, which is a tremendous help to families on low incomes.
Also, healthy school meals are vital to help children do well at school and to prevent obesity.
John Wyman-White
St John’s Park Mansions
N19
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