The mayor of London is setting aside 130 million pounds (146 million euros) to provide all children in his city with free meals at school for a year. Sadiq Khan hopes to offer support to families suffering from the financial crisis.
According to Khan, the government has remained “inactive” for years. That is why he is now coming out with an emergency plan himself. From September, some 270,000 primary school students will receive a daily meal. 100,000 of them are estimated to live in poverty. The plan will cost approximately 500 euros per child.
“800,000 children in the cold”
At the moment, children are only eligible for a free meal if their household earns less than 8,350 euros per year after deduction of taxes. According to the Food Foundation, that upper limit leaves 800,000 English children out in the cold, while they live in poverty.
“Families and children in our city need additional support because of the crisis,” says Khan. “I have regularly encouraged the government to provide free school meals, but they have simply done nothing.”
“Lifebuoy”
Khan calls free school meals a “life preserver” that he could also use as a child. “My brothers and I counted on it to eat. My parents were able to give our family a little extra financial room.”
Anna Taylor, the head of the Food Foundation, is asking the government to follow in Khan’s footsteps. “This is a monumental step forward for the well-being of children,” it sounds.
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