A decent school lunch really makes a difference to children's educational outcomes which is why we've been campaigning for free school meals for all kids says GMB. GMB, the union for school meals staff, welcomed the official report published today on the quality of school packed lunches.
Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said “GMB members in school kitchens have been speaking up for some time about the terrible quality of packed lunches that some children are sent to schools with. We hear horrific reports from of young kids coming to school with a few biscuits, or a couple of slices of plain bread, or even nothing at all. Often our members give them some school food and the schools will often try to take it up with the parents but still it goes on"
Continuing Mr Strutton said: "So we welcome this official report today that backs our members' first hand experience. Unfortunately a poor quality packed lunch is often a cheaper option than paying for school meals and even parents that are entitled to claim school meals for free often do not want the stigma of doing so. GMB has long argued that the solution is free school meals for all. Bad food means bad behaviour and poor concentration; a decent school lunch really makes a difference to children's educational outcomes. That is why we've been campaigning for free school meals for all kids."
Concluding Mr Strutton said: "We could make a real impact by introducing free school meals in all primary schools at a cost of around £900m. This is about the same cost as the proposed married couples tax relief. I think the money would be better spent on free school meals to bring to an end this packed lunch scandal and actually help our children grow healthily and learn better."
