A young student, aged ten, expressed her dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer’s free school meals proposal, stating that it falls short and advocating for all primary school children to have access to free meals. Lily, a pupil at Monksdown primary school in Liverpool, emphasized the essential nature of free lunches, asserting that they should be universally available across England, similar to the provision in London, Wales, and Scotland.

The ongoing campaign by The Mirror in collaboration with the National Education Union (NEU) has been advocating for the implementation of free school meals for all primary school children. While Mr. Starmer had previously announced an extension of free meals to children in families receiving Universal Credit in England, Lily believes that this is insufficient and reiterated the importance of ensuring every child receives this benefit.

In addition, Kayden, a 15-year-old student with learning disabilities from Bank View school in Liverpool, echoed the call for equal access to free lunches, expressing his desire for a system comparable to those in London and Wales. His teacher, Jenn Loughlin, emphasized the importance of providing nutritious meals to all children to prevent hunger and ensure equality among students nationwide.

Furthermore, Zack, an 11-year-old student at Holy Name school in Liverpool, stressed the positive impact of free school meals on academic performance and overall well-being. Ann-Marie Ferrigan, a teacher at Monksdown primary school, highlighted the inadequacy of limiting free meals to families on Universal Credit, noting that many struggling families do not meet the criteria.

NEU General Secretary, Daniel Kebede, reiterated the union’s stance on universal free school meals to eliminate the stigma associated with poverty and ensure all children receive equal opportunities. The demand for scrapping the two-child benefit limit was also raised to address the rising issue of child poverty affecting children’s educational prospects.

The voices of these students and educators underscore the urgency and importance of providing universal access to free school meals to support children’s well-being and academic success.