Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Free school meals: vouchers are not good enough
Those in need deserve straight cash to feed their kids, without judgement and without strings attached, says MOLLIE BROWN

OVER the last week we have seen social media networks awash with pictures of the school dinner hampers that have been supplied by external catering companies to replace free school meals.

Although the contents seen in the majority of these “hampers” were a disgrace, external companies providing in school catering at mass profits in not a new occurrence. The privatisation of education and services within the sector including academisation has been increasing at a tremendous rate. Huge companies are making a profit from your child attending school, in many cases at the detriment of the children.

Following the outrage, the government has made another U-turn and replaced the hampers with vouchers — welcomed by many — but I say it is simply no where near enough.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Residents walk through Santa Cruz, Jamaica on Wednesday after Hurricane Melissa passed
Features / 1 November 2025
1 November 2025

Hurricanes might have natural causes but the tragedy that follows is entirely human-made and a consequence of capitalist greed, asserts ROGER McKENZIE

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey
Features / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

Ben Chacko talks to RMT leader EDDIE DEMPSEY about how the key to fixing broken Britain lies in collective sectoral bargaining, restoring unions’ ability to take solidarity strike action and bringing about the much-vaunted ‘wave of insourcing’

National Education Union leader Daniel Kebede
Features / 17 April 2025
17 April 2025

We face austerity, privatisation, and toxic influence. But we are growing, and cannot be beaten

Striking members of the National Education Union (NEU) on Pi
NEU Conference 2025 / 15 April 2025
15 April 2025

Educators must fight for an inclusive, creative system that values all children