GMB welcomes free school meals pilot

06.05.09

The GMB trade union welcomed the government’s decision to declare Wolverhampton as one of the successful bidders for a two year pilot scheme which will give free school meals to all primary school children in the authority.

The government last year invited local authorities in deprived areas to bid to run the pilots, which are intended to gather evidence on the benefits of free school meals in cutting obesity and improving behaviour. Wolverhampton was chosen, with Durham and Newham, because of the its high proportion of children from working class homes.

Wolverhampton will pilot an extension to the current eligibility criteria for free school meals. A further 7,800 pupils in Wolverhampton are expected to be able to claim free school meals as a result of the extension to the eligibility criteria, which will no longer be based on household income.

Joe Morgan, GMB West Midlands Regional Secretary, said “GMB welcome this pilot. GMB has campaigned long and hard for many years for the provision of free school meals for all school children, both in primary and secondary schools. This will ensure that children of families on low incomes or benefits receive a healthy nutritional meal and the stigma of receiving free school meals is removed by making it universal. This pilot is a welcome step in the right direction.”