Plea over school meal cost

Education chiefs are being urged to axe plans for a 20p hike in the cost of school dinners.

Renfrewshire Council has unveiled plans to charge more for takeaway and sitdown meals.

But critics warn those from less well-off homes will feel the pinch at lunch time.

Councillor Alison Dowling represents parents in Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, and will call for a price freeze at a Renfrewshire Council meeting tomorrow.

She said: “The main concern is for those who are just about managing.

“Those already watching the pennies will be hit hardest.

“The council is facing stark financial challenges, but the costs should not be passed on to those most unable to pay.

“The burden should not be laid at their door. Families with more than one child at school will see expenses mount up.

“Incomes have remained stagnant over the last decade.

“Expenses like rent, food, travel and transport are only increasing, well ahead of wages. We have a duty of care for those who need a little more support.”

Councillor Dowling will urge a full council meeting to scrap the planned increase.

She maintains the change would affect those just over the threshold for free school meals and those with more than one child.

She aims to rally opposition support to force the administration into axing the plans.

Education chiefs voted last month to charge more, with grab-and -go and dine-in day meals each set to rise almost 10 per cent.

They say costs have been fixed for nearly five years and the move will bring prices in line with local authorities across the country.

The changes are due to take effect in primary and secondary schools.

Council bosses say they undertook a “benchmarking exercise” to compare prices in Scotland. They claim prices are too low compared to other schools.

Children entitled to free school meals will be unaffected.

The council has been hailed for its commitment to feeding youngsters from poorer backgrounds.

It launched free meals for pupils during school holidays and at breakfast clubs and through its Street Stuff activities programme.

Around 30,000 meals have been served since the project launched four years ago.