Kingston upon Hull Council members vote to abolish totally free school meals service

Kingston upon Hull Council's leader has won his battle to axe the region's pioneering free school meals service from September.

At a vote of council members last week (Thursday, 17 May) Carl Minns, Liberal Democrat leader of the council, saw his motion to reintroduce charging for school meals at the start of the next academic year succeed with 32 votes for and 18 against.

The fate of the Eat Well Do Well scheme, introduced by the Labour-led council in 2005, had been in the balance since the Lib Dems won majority control of the council in May 2006.

The initiative, widely praised by teachers and parents, received a stay of execution in March after attempts to cut funding were narrowly defeated by a Labour-led coalition.

However, following local elections this month, the Lib Dems cemented their hold on the council and have now succeeded in killing off the service once and for all.

Lib Dem council leader Carl Minns had argued that the £3m cost of providing free school meals would be better spent elsewhere.

He also challenged Hull MP and education secretary Alan Johnson to make extra funding for all schools part of his manifesto in his bid for the deputy Labour leadership.

The successful vote will mean a charge of £1.10 for primary school meals from September, although families reliant on benefit will still qualify for free school meals.

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By Chris Druce

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