School meals 'seen as somewhat of a luxury'

Matthew Knight said research had shown "consistently the health benefits of a healthy nutritious lunch"

A Birmingham school catering manager says a school meal has begun to be viewed as "somewhat of a luxury" as pupils across the West Midlands regularly go without.

School meals are funded by the government up to Year 2 but pupils are required to pay when they enter Year 3, although there are exemptions for some low-income families.

But figures from The Food Foundation suggest 66,000 children in the West Midlands are missing out on paid-for meals because despite their families struggling to meet the cost, they do not meet the threshold for free provision.

To address the issue, Matthew Knight, who runs the kitchen at Hillstone Primary School in Shard End, is calling for all children in the region up to the age of 11 to be given a free meal daily.

He said research had shown "consistently the health benefits of a healthy nutritious lunch".

He added that at Year 3 "we naturally see a drop off" with pupils having lunch, but with "the cost-of-living crisis, there's been a much bigger drop off".

"Anecdotally we know that parents are working two sometimes three jobs and unfortunately a school meal is seen as somewhat of a luxury, which we think is completely wrong."

'Little bit extra'

Mr Knight stated there was a "fantastically close community" at the school where staff looked after the children.

"Our supervisors know all the children, know the families and if they are struggling, then yes they do get a little bit extra," he said.

"We do seconds and things like that.

"Everybody has the right to a healthy start in life and also [to]... a healthy meal at lunchtime."

To highlight the issue, The Food Foundation has launched a campaign on buses in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

Year 3 to Year 6 pupils from households in receipt of eligible benefits are entitled to free lunches under existing government rules.

Families need to inform schools whether they want their child or children to continue to receive them.