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MP Ian Byrne leads Westminster debate on 'inaccessibility' of free school meals

11th Jan 2024 - 06:00
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Parliament
Abstract
Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, led a debate in Parliament yesterday (10th January) on access to free school meals for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

During the debate he raised the experiences of families in Liverpool West Derby as well as the parent-led campaign by Contact Families and Natalie Hay.  

Contact’s research found that a third of eligible disabled children are missing out on their free school meals, losing almost £600 a year of financial help. 

A spokesperson for Contact Families said: “There are many reasons why a disabled child can’t access their free school meal including special diets or sensory processing difficulties, being off school due to a long-term illness or waiting for a suitable school place, as well as those who have an educational package called EOTAS.

“The law says disabled pupils should be offered an alternative, such as a supermarket voucher, as a reasonable adjustment if they are unable to access a school lunch in the regular way. However, Government guidance makes no mention of this, meaning many schools are wrongly refusing parent requests for a food voucher.

“We want MPs to ask the Government to update the free school meals guidance so it’s clear that schools and councils must provide free school meals, in some form, to eligible disabled children who can’t access them in the regular way.”

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Written by
Edward Waddell