What you said about campaign for free school meals for all pupils

It comes following the news that children at a school in Wales were going to be refused a meal if their dinner debt was more than 1p.

Governors at the school at the centre of a row over dinners have said they will not support a system that refuses to give pupils meals “based on affordability”.

Gazette readers were asked if they thought all children should be given free meals.

And the vast majority were in support of the ideas.

Jason Dannielle Evans said: “Yes. Might be the only meal a child gets in a day. If prisoners get fed, so should children.”

Darren Clark added: “Yes, it maybe the only half-decent meal the child gets. Appearances can be deceptive and every child should be entitled to be treated the same without fear of alienation.”

Sam Paterson said: “Yes, I work part time and don’t qualify for free meals. My boys enjoy school dinners, but at £2.10 and £3 a time I just can’t justify it, which makes me unpopular.”

Fox Vicsson added: “The obvious response is no, school meals should only be provided free for those children whose families are in financial need. But the system we have clearly isn’t working properly, if children are going hungry at school. So yes, I’d rather have slightly higher taxes, if that’s the only way to ensure kids are fed.”

Campaign - a food protest Picture: Gaz de Vere

Julia Searle said MPs should forfeit their expenses to pay for school meals.

She said: “As long as we pay for MPs’ food, travel, mortgages, clothing on top of giving them over £80k salary we can afford to feed children. No need for extra tax, MPs’ food allowance would easily cover decent lunches for all school-aged children.”

But other readers argued the system should be means tested and only help the most in need.

Anna Trusty said: “In an ideal world but surely if there isn’t enough money in the pot, we should focus on children who are in more need.”

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Holly Maitland said: “Means tested yes, so not just benefit related. But no, not all, those who can afford should pay. Same with pensioners.”

Linda Lomas said: “No, why should they be? I would never have expected my children’s for free. They should be for those people who cannot afford to pay.”

Gerry Eeles added: “No! If you can’t afford to feed your own children, you shouldn’t have had them, but in cases of unforeseen hardship, of course, the children must be fed.”

Danny Mayzes said: “No. The state should only be relied upon to support those in need. Those who can afford to sustain and support their own households should continue to do so. Welfare budgets can then be allocated and focused on the right areas.”