'Keir Starmer should put free school meals for all pupils in Labour's manifesto'

28 May 2023 , 20:16

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Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

MP Sharon Hodgson, until recently a Parliamentary aide to Keir Starmer, has joined the call for all primary pupils to get free school meals.

Mr Starmer should embrace this. It is just the sort of popular, affordable, policy to clinch the votes of middle and low income families by demonstrating Labour is on their side.

Devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland are pursuing the plan as are parts of England. London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan sees the value of free school meals for all.

Ms Hodgson, an MP in North East England, recalls the stigma of queueing for free dinners.

Sharon Hodgson MP has joined the call for all primary pupils to get free school meals (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Labour MP Sharon Hodgson as a school child, 7 years old

But this is about more than ending any stigma for the one-in-five who receive them.

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It’s about ensuring no child goes hungry with 800,000 in low income homes failing to qualify under means-testing. And it’s about helping every family who finds the cost a burden.

Rebuilding Britain requires rebooting the welfare state to create a fairer nation. Go on, Keir, put free school meals for all primary pupils in Labour’s manifesto.

Hiding blame

Temporary price caps on milk, bread and other basic foods could help families but they hide a deeper problem.

The Government is guilty of sub-contracting solutions onto supermarkets when Tory economic disasters are at the root of hardship.

Covid and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine hit other countries too yet inflation is higher here and we were slower to recover after the virus.

Sunak should look in the mirror if he wants to see who is really at fault.

Goal standard

With the heartache of relegation for two teams and ecstasy of escape for a third decided on the final day, once again the Premier League proved why it is the greatest football show on earth.

So congratulations to Everton fans, commiserations to Leeds and Leicester and let the hope start for millions of supporters counting the days to the start of the 2023-24 season.

Voice of the Mirror