By Emily Caulkett-
TV chef and healthy eating advocate, Jamie Oliver, has called for free school meals to be expanded to all families receiving Universal Credit.
Current policy means that only families with incomes less than £7,400 a year before benefits and after-tax are eligible for free meals.
Because of this cut-off, the Food Foundation, a charity aimed at improving food access in the UK, predicts that 800,000 children in England are in poverty but do not receive free school meals.
This call to improve access to meals came as Westminster Council announced that all children attending state-funded primary schools would get free school meals.Jamie Oliver guest-edited an episode of BBC Radio 4’s Today show where he told presenter Nick Robinson that he was “proud” of this approach by the local authority.
He added: “Every school, 32,000 of them, can be just like this.
“This is ours to celebrate. So, of course, I’m proud of what they’re doing here. And when you see it working… you do realise it’s not rocket science.”
When asked about the high cost of a free school meals expansion and why the government should be expected to feed children, Oliver said: “That can only come from a lens of someone that’s never been hungry, or struggled.
“If, as I have, you have looked into the eyes of parents that are worried about their child being fed… whatever values you put around the society we live in, forget them.
“If parents worry about feeding their children, chaos ensues in many, many, many, many different ways that are immeasurable, directly.”
He added that an expansion of this program is “the best value of a taxpayer’s buck.
“Why? Because the institution of school is well established. The money spent there is a very trusted, good place, measured place to do it.
“If we don’t spend it here it will react elsewhere within the community… and it definitely won’t be as cheap.”
The TV personality also interviewed former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair who concurred, saying: “This is absolutely fundamental.
“I honestly don’t think there’s anything more important for the future of the country but to make sure we deal with this – early years education and wellbeing.”
However, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “We understand the pressures many households are under, that is why we are supporting more children and young people than ever before.
“Over a third of pupils in England currently receive free school meals in education settings and we have just announced a further investment in the National School Breakfast Programme, extending the programme for another year backed by up to £30 million.
“We have acted on soaring energy costs through the Energy Price Guarantee, saving a typical household over £900 this winter. The Energy Bills Support Scheme is also providing a £400 discount to millions of households this winter, further support is available for the most vulnerable who will receive £1,200 each this year.”
Today, the Uk’s biggest teaching union has slammed a decision to delay free school meals to all primary children as “shameful”.
The Scottish Government gave a commitment to provide all P6 and P7 children with free school meals by last August.