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Lib Dem leader supports charges for school meals

21st April 2008, 12:27pm

Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats party has backed the decision to terminate free school meals for pupils in Hull during his first visit to the city.

The scheme was introduced by Labour in 2004 and saw uptake of school dinners increase from 36% to 64%.

When the Liberal Democrats won last May they took the decision to end the 'free-for-all' scheme, after campaigning for more than a year.

They argued that those who can afford to pay should do so and the £4m-a-year cost of the scheme could be better spent elsewhere.

A visit to Hull from Nick Clegg highlighted that his party's stance on the matter has not shifted: "The Liberal Democrats here in Hull reviewed the decision to give every child a free school meal when they took control of the council. I think they were quite right to do that and were quite right to continue with free school meals for those who need them most and ask those who can afford to contribute to do so."

Labour, which introduced the free meals pilot in 2004, said last May that the decision will hit the poorest families hardest and that research had shown free meals in the city had attracted a high uptake and led to improved behaviour and academic performance.

A £1.10 charge per meal is now applicable with Mr Clegg adding: "Very few educationalists believe it is a wise use of public resources to provide free school meals for all children."

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