Sadiq Khan has called for all pupils in primary school to get free school meals as the UK grapples with the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation.
The mayor of London said every child in the capital "deserves that safety net" of the scheme and called for all students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 to receive it - regardless of family income - from the start of the new academic year.
All infant school pupils currently get free school meals, but only those from the most disadvantaged families qualify in older years.
The government has so far resisted calls to expand free school meals during the cost of living crisis.
Former education secretaries and unions have said they want to see all families on universal credit qualify, instead of only those with earnings under £7,400 a year, and for the scheme to run over summer.
The mayor has joined the call for free school meal vouchers to run during the summer holidays as families worry about feeding their children over the break and "train" themselves to eat less without any extra help.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin June 19, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin June 19, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Championship shopping over Champions League
Chelsea manager contender Enzo Maresca excelled with Leicester but his lack of top-flight experience is a big risk
Djokovic secures second round slot at French Open
On Monday, as the sold-out crowd roared on Rafael Nadal in potentially his final battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Novak Djokovic was in an unusual position. For him, anyway.
Britons crash out of French Open as focus turns to grass
After a three-day opening salvo at Roland Garros, there are no Brits left standing.
'Atlas' is a flat, misguided love letter to the algorithm
Netflix's sci-fi flick sees J-Lo's techno-sceptic learn about the beauty of AI. With concerns about the technology growing, Louis Chilton wonders how the film reads the room so badly
SZA will save your summer
With Grammys, a Brit and bags of banging hits, if you don't know the surprise Glastonbury headliner then it's time to get familiar. Thankfully, Kate Solomon has all the info you need
DRINK GREEN
Sarah Finley tries out health-boosting supplement powders
Let's get down to business: the best way to book flights
Q I travel a fair amount for work. My company insists we book through a business travel agent, even though – as I frequently point out to my manager – it can cost more than just booking directly.
Are you going my T'Way?
T'Way Air promises 'sophisticated service' at a 'reasonable price' but Simon Calder finds the two mutually exclusive
We shouldn't shy away from rape scenes – they are vital -
The actor and writer Doon Mackichan was wrong to call out all depictions of sexual violence in drama, says Olivia Petter. When done right, they can be educational and lifesaving
Being busy at work doesn't mean you are productive
In her regular column, business founder and wellness expert Nicola Elliott looks to make our nine-to-five feel healthier