I believe that we should provide free dinners for children at school. The breakfast clubs are free, at the moment.
Is it right for single parent families to get free school dinners, bearing in mind there is no means testing, so it could be a case of a divorced millionaire buming of us plebs.
2006-10-26 22:06:35 · 14 answers · asked by iusedtolooklikemyavatar 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Free school meals are NOT dependant on a single parent claiming benefits.
I remember a rather well off chap at school in receipt of free school meals as his parents were divorced. While I don't know the exact details of his parents situation, I can asure you, he and other children I remember were "well healed".
2006-10-26 22:55:29 · update #1
One parent family does not automatically mean "low wage" any more than two parent family means "high wage".
You can be a two parent family but if dad is a low wage earner and mum is only working part time you will still be on a low wage.
It should be for anyone who is not earning much, not just one parent families.
2006-10-27 07:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think in some cases it's applicable, but where do you draw the line, Working family tax credits will ensure that you have an income above the required level to claim free school dinners, so a hardworking parent that wants to work and provide for their children should in theory be able to afford a meal for their child at school, wether it be a hot meal if accessible or a packed lunch.
Single parents in this case will have it harder, especially if they have say 1 child at school and another child pre school age, the cost of childcare could mean that they are unable to afford to work and rely on benefits until all children are at school and be able to go and find employment - In this case yes, I think they should have free school meals.
If parents have school age children, have no reason why they cannot work but don't want to work, would prefer to sit at home all day and is quite comfortable scrounging benefits (money for nothing) then there is no reason why the tax payer should pay for their childs meals.Those people have more help thrown at them tahn a hard working responsible adult does, free rent, free council tax, money for doing nothing all day every day!
2006-10-27 06:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Claire Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free school meals are only available for children whose parents receive income support , job seekers allowance (income based), or child tax credit but are not entitled to working tax credit and whose annual income as assessed by the Inland Revenue does not exceed £14,155. Whether they are single parents does not come into it at all, they have to meet the means testing criteria above.
This does not necessarily mean that a cooked school meal will be provided. Many schools do not have facilities for cooking hot meals and in those cases a packed lunch will be provided free instead.
2006-10-27 06:36:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot School Dinners would be nice, My son has no kitchens at his school and has to take sandwiches, Certainlysome single parents are poor but some couples prefer for only 1 to work so that bthe other can care for the Children and this should be encouraged, workng mums have no time to walk kids to school for instance
2006-10-27 06:22:56 · answer #4 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, its should either be free for all or means tested. As a rule, a single parent will not have as much income as a couple, but like you say they could have won the lottery or have a VERY well paid job and be bringing in more than some couples.
I never that was true until I read this question!
2006-10-27 05:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by lindsay 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Anyone on a low income and some state benefits are entitled to free school meals, not just single parents. If in doubt contact your school.
2006-10-27 05:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Mogseye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Health of all children should come first and that free school meals and milk every day should be provided. During wartime this did happen, why cannot children be cared for properly now?
2006-10-27 05:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by jane P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is means tested as in you only received free school meals if you are on income support. It doesn't make any difference if you are a one parent family or not.
2006-10-27 05:15:42 · answer #8 · answered by tracey c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
free school dinners are means tested. i am a single parent but am deemed to earn too much to qualify for this. also the breakfast clubs where i live are not free.
2006-10-27 05:19:48 · answer #9 · answered by nai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free school meals ARE means-tested. Your memories are either out of date (the system of qualification was changed by Mrs Thatcher) or are just plain wrong.
2006-10-27 08:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by Timothy M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋