Petition calling for free school meals for all primary children to be delivered to 10 Downing Street

Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry, Michelle Collins, known for her long-standing roles in Coronation Street and Eastenders, along with young people, will hand in the petition to Number 10 at midday today (Thursday 2 March).

The petition calls for free school meals to made a universal offer so all primary school pupils in England receive at least 'one nutritious and filling meal a day'.

The charity says free school meals for all primary-aged children would also relieve stress and anxiety for children at mealtimes, as well as the pressures families living in poverty are facing.

The petition calls upon the Government to follow in the footsteps of Scotland and Wales, who have both committed to providing free meals for all primary school pupils. Barnardo’s wants to ensure children in England aren’t left behind.

Last week, the London Mayor also announced he was extending the benefit to all primary pupils living in the city for a year.

While school pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals in England, older primary school pupils are currently only eligible to receive them if their families have total earnings below £7,400 per year.

The charity says free school meals for all primary aged children would mean that every child would get at least one nutritious and filling meal a day, whatever they are facing at home. It would also relieve stress and anxiety for children at mealtimes and relieve pressure for families living in poverty.

'Sadly, there is a stigma around free school meals.'

Actress and Barnardo’s ambassador Michelle Collins said, ‘As a child of a single mother, my sister and I were eligible for free school meals, but it was a separate queue in the seventies, and kids were made to feel humiliated. So, my mum decided she wouldn’t put us through that, and she managed to get the money together. She often had three jobs at one time. 

‘Sadly, there is still a stigma around free school meals. It should just be a universal benefit, so, for whatever reason parents can’t pay, everyone is treated the same - no questions asked. Also, in this current economic crisis anything can happen and parents who can afford school meals one minute may not be able to afford them if they fall on hard times. It has been proven that having a nutritious meal at school helps kids with learning and concentration. These are our kids, and we need them to be healthy and thriving not falling asleep.’

Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry added, ‘Whether children have enough to eat shouldn’t be determined by their postcode. That is why we are calling on the Government to introduce free school meals for all primary school children in England, to support struggling families across the UK, and to do more to tackle hunger during the school holidays.’