Poor Teenagers Denied Free School Meals Due To Funding Anomaly
Thousands Of Poor Teens Denied Lunch Due To 'Discriminatory' Funding
PA
A funding anomaly which has left tens of thousands of poor teenagers missing out on free lunches is to be debated by MPs.
Former education secretary David Blunkett, who has secured the debate, said the disparity meant that youngsters across the country are losing out because they attend college rather than school.
The irregularity means that 16 to 18-year-olds who would be offered free school meals if they were studying at a school sixth form or academy miss out if they go to college.
College leaders have launched a campaign to end the practice, which they said is "unfair and discriminatory" and are calling for all disadvantaged teenagers to be offered free meals, regardless of where they study.
Blunkett, Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, said: "This flagrant disparity means that students in my constituency at Sheffield College and Longley Park Sixth Form College, and across the country, are missing meals because of the educational path they have taken.
"There are three times as many students eligible for free lunches who are studying in college rather than school sixth forms. This means the majority of eligible teenagers are missing out.
"For these hard-working students to be denied access to free meals because they have chosen further education that will benefit both them and the country is inherently unfair. It is not only a bar to social mobility but also an inequality and unfairness that could mean teenagers going hungry."
The debate is due to be held in the Commons on Wednesday morning.
The Association of Colleges (AoC), which is leading the No Free Lunch? campaign, said more than 100,000 students are missing out each year.
It added that there are three times as many college students eligible for the dinners than are eligible at state school sixth forms.
AoC chief executive Martin Doel said: "For a modest amount, in the context of the department's overall budget, students from some of the most vulnerable areas of society could depend on at least one decent meal a day."
The Department for Education (DfE) has said that it recognises the concern caused by the anomaly and is looking into the situation.
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News Pictures of the Day: 12 June
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A worker (R) repairs a giant statue, damage during the military crackdown on Red Shirt protesters on May 2010, displayed at a shopping mall in Bangkok on June 12, 2012. More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed and nearly 1,900 were wounded during the April and May 2010 rallies, which drew about 100,000 'Red Shirt' demonstrators at their peak. (Photo credit: PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/GettyImages)
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A US soldier takes part in a landing operation during the multinational exercise "BALTOPS 2012" on June 11, 2012 in Nemirseta (Palangos Distr.). BALTOPS 2012 involved seven NATO countries - Lithuania, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. During BALTOPS 2012, military forces will conduct joint maritime, air and land operations in the Baltic Sea region. (Photo credit: PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/GettyImages)
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Afghan women and children enter FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson also known as Sabit Khadam during seeds distribution organized by US Marines Female Engagement Team (FET) from the 1st battalion 7th Marines Regiment in Sangin on June 12, 2012. The US-led war in Afghanistan has cost the lives of around 3,000 US and allied troops, seen thousands of Afghans killed and cost hundreds of billions of dollars. (Photo credit: ADEK BERRY/AFP/GettyImages)
(04 of10)
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An Afghan woman waits at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson also known as Sabit Khadam during seeds distribution organized by US Marines Female Engagement Team (FET) from the 1st battalion 7th Marines Regiment in Sangin on June 12, 2012. The US-led war in Afghanistan has cost the lives of around 3,000 US and allied troops, seen thousands of Afghans killed and cost hundreds of billions of dollars. (Photo credit: ADEK BERRY/AFP/GettyImages)
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Japanese (L) and Australian fans wait for kick-off before the Australia versus Japan 2014 World Cup qualifying match played in Brisbane, on June 12, 2012. (Photo credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/GettyImages)
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Protesters attempt march towards the US embassy to mark the 114th anniversary of the Philippines' declaration of independence from Spain, in Manila on June 12, 2012. The protesters called for genuine independence and accused Philippine President Benigno Aquino of subservience to the US and also called for redistribution of land to farmers. (Photo credit: JAY DIRECTO/AFP/GettyImages)
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Lithuania's army troops conduct a landing operation during the multinational exercise 'BALTOPS 2012' on June 11, 2012 in Nemirseta (Palangos Distr.). BALTOPS 2012 involved seven NATO countries - Lithuania, Estonia, the United States, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany. During BALTOPS 2012, military forces will conduct joint maritime, air and land operations in the Baltic Sea region. (Photo credit: PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/GettyImages)
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Fans of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate their hockey teams' winning of the Stanley Cup over the New Jersey Devils in game six of the NHL championship series outside Staples Center in Los Angeles, Monday, June 11, 2012. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Grant Hindsley)
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Myanmar who live in Malaysia cries during a protests in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. About 600 Rohingya peoples from Myanmar protests near US and British embassy to seek help to save the Rohingya peoples in Arakan state in Myanmar and to end humanitarian crisis. (Photo credit: AP Photo/ Vincent Thian)
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Law enforcement officials search a home in Montgomery, Ala., Monday, June 11, 2012. Authorities searching for the man charged with fatally shooting three people near Auburn University swarmed the house Monday where they believe he's hiding, firing tear gas and sending a tactical team on cautious forays inside. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Dave Martin)