Free school meals are boosting results, according to the report

Islington’s free school meals are boosting results, report claims

Peter Apps Wednesday, August 8, 2012
3:16 PM

Free school meals for all are boosting school results, Islington Council has claimed.

A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and National Centre for social research showed better pupil performances in areas where the policy was in place. It was introduced in 2009.

Cllr Richard Watts, executive member for children and families said: “Not only does offering all primary school children a free nutritious meal at lunchtime improve their health and their family’s finances, but we now know it also improves their school results.

“We hope to see some effect on children’s achievement when primary school results are published in September.”

The policy is opposed by Liberal Democrat councillors, who believe it’s unnecessary to subsidise meals for children from families who could afford to pay, and those living outside the borough.

St George’s ward councillor David Wilson said: “Lots of people who need the meals would already get them.

“We are paying rich people to do what they can afford to do anyway. There are a lot of bankers living in Islington.Boris Johnson lives here. It seems unfair to pay to support them.”