TV chef Tom Kerridge has become the latest influential voice to throw his weight behind calls for the UK Government to extend its free school meals scheme to all children in England whose families receive Universal Credit.
In Wales, all primary school children will get free school meals by 2024. Now, the Great British Menu judge says it is his “priority” to ensure that all under-privileged children in England receive free school meals.
Tom said such benefits should be “part and parcel” of education. Kerridge, who received free school meals himself as a child, also criticised MPs who voted against such measures, while benefiting from subsidised food in the House of Commons.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “The priority for me is making sure everybody has a school meal. It should be part and parcel of education.
“We already know that these kids are from the most vulnerable parts of society. If they’re not getting a free school meal they’re probably being sent with no lunch or a packed lunch. That lunch doesn’t tick any of the boxes of nutritional values, of sustainability, in terms of child growth, health, nutrition.”
Children in state schools in England currently get free school meals when they are in reception class, year 1 and year 2. They might also be eligible if their parents receive certain benefits such as income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Child Tax Credits.
Those who receive Universal Credit, however, must have an income of less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including other benefits to qualify for free meals. This is despite estimates that around 40 per cent of people who claim Universal Credit and in work and possibly earn more than that.
Kerridge is known for his appearance on shows including MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen. He also has his own series How to Lose Weight For Good and Top Of The Shop, both for the BBC.
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He has previously called for the Government to commit to expanding eligibility for free school meals, alongside major UK supermarkets and fellow celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. It comes as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan unveiled a scheme to offer all primary kids in the capital free meals from September.
Commenting on Mr Khan’s scheme, Kerridge told the Mirror: “The reality is we have people that go to work, that have full-time jobs, perhaps even two jobs, who still have to qualify for Universal Credit, who are using food banks. They aren’t lazy. These are people who are really struggling.”
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