The government tackles inequalities through providing children with free school meals.
Free school meals was first introduced to primary 1 to 3, and all children living in poverty, with the aim to provide financial aid to struggle parents.
Free school meals - EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS
When first introduced, FSM had an uptake of 82%
This provides financial ease tp families and lets them focus money on other neccessities. It also provides children with at least one hot meal a day.
Free school meals - REBUTTAL
The Labour Party argues that allowing FSM for all children aged P1-3 can be used as a 'subsidy' for rich families who don't need it.
This has also contributed to the issue of children who recieve meals for the holidays not recieving enough food due to lack of funding.
Free school meals - REBUTTAL (EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS)
A portion of the £28 million that pays for school meals could therefore go towards providing children with better meals for the holidays.
This shows that a higher budget could be generated by making FSM only available for those in need.
Free school meals - EVALUATION
Therefore, although FSM are helpinig relieve financial stress for some families but those children are still going hungry during holidays, and money is being taken from aiding those most in need by allowing universal access, making them partly ineffective at tackling inequalities.
