What is the Government doing about the stigma attached to free school meals?
The DCSF funded a report, commissioned by the Child Poverty Action Group, on the take-up of free school meals. It was published in May 2001 and identified key factors that may limit take-up — including the fact that not all parents are aware of their entitlement and others are deterred from applying because they do not know how the system works at their child’s school. From 1 June 2001, as a result of a joint DCSF and Cabinet Office Public Sector Team project, a new system is being piloted with the Department for Work and Pensions and LEAs to raise awareness and streamline the system for claiming free school meals. This involves a one-stop application process so that parents are not deterred by having to fill in several forms.
