Free school meals and cheap uniforms for thousands more

Published on Saturday 25 July 2009 11:07

AN extra 3,000 children across the city are set to be given free school dinners as well as financial help when buying uniforms.

The changes come into play from the beginning of next term as a result of new eligibility criteria set by the Scottish Government.

It means the parents of around 11,500 children in Edinburgh will now be able to claim for a lunch at school.

Today, city councillors were urging parents to take advantage of the free meals for their children, especially as the recession bites.

Councillor David Beckett, vice-convener of education, children and families, said: "In this difficult financial climate, it is important that those families who qualify for free school meals take up their entitlement and I would encourage everyone who thinks they may qualify to apply."

Ministers have adapted existing criteria to capture a wider pool of parents who are claiming benefits or allowances from the state.

They include parents receiving child tax credit, with an annual income of less than 16,040.

Many asylum seekers and parents receiving income support will also be able to apply.

Most children eligible for the meals will also be entitled to financial help for uniforms, with primary pupils getting 43, and secondary children 50 in vouchers towards the cost of their clothes.

The announcement has been welcomed by children's welfare charities which stressed the need for all pupils to be given a fighting chance to succeed at school, regardless of their parents' financial situation.

A spokesman from Children 1st said: "We welcome the expansion of free school meals. It gives access to a healthy meal, which is something some children are not always getting at home.

"If there are more children getting free meals, and help with uniforms, then it reduces the stigma associated with them – fewer children end up 'standing out'. These changes are particularly important in these times when there are children struggling."

The move comes ahead of the Scottish Government's plans to make all school meals free to pupils in P1, P2 and P3 by 2010.

In recent years, the government has invested heavily in producing and promoting healthy school dinners, offering primary children a hot lunch, and secondary pupils a cafeteria-style service.

Cllr Beckett said: "Over the last couple of years, the quality of our meals has improved to meet the Scottish Government's new nutritional standards.

"Here in Edinburgh we are strongly committed to promoting healthy eating and we hope to encourage more children and young people to adopt healthier lifestyles."

WHO QUALIFIES?

PARENTS qualify for free school meals if they are in receipt of:

&#149 Child Tax Credit only with an annual income of less than 16,040

&#149 Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an annual income of less than 6,420

&#149 Income Support

&#149 Income-based Jobseekers allowance

&#149 Employment and Support Allowance (income related element only)

&#149 Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Parents who believe they qualify need to fill in an application form which is available on the council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants or by calling 4679 3471