Parents of children who have school dinners could see the price increase as caterer Chartwells looks to cover rising costs.
It’s just the latest increase forced by the cost of living crisis and could see meals increase as much as 25p per meal.
Students in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are all entitled to free school meals, meaning the monetary increase will only affect those parents of children in Year 3 and above.
There will not be a general blanket increase, with schools instead having to negotiate specific deals with the catering firm.
The caterer has said that they have tried to avoid increasing prices and have looked extensively at their menu and attempted to re-negotiate with suppliers wherever possible.
In a letter sent to parents, Chartwells said:
“Like all UK businesses, we are currently experiencing significant inflationary pressures.
“With inflation continuing to rise, we are now required to increase the price of the meal served at your child’s school. We want to assure you that the decision to take this action was not taken lightly.”
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Prices are set to increase from 1st February.
The same Chartwell’s who charged taxpayers £30 for £5.50 worth of product during the pandemic. Surely they could have found the room to accommodate 25p in their £500m+ profits?
Surely parents can accommodate 25p per meal for their children with all the benefits they are getting.
Surely if on benefits they will be getting free anyway? My point was a company raking in over £500m a year on a bad year, can surely take a hit?
But to be honest, from the sounds of your comment, you’re probably one of the people benefitting from such companies profits maybe?
You’ve made a good point regarding benefits/free meals. I’ve always been self sufficient so the benefit system is a mystery.
If not, maybe you could give them some of your rice Uncle Ben.
If EVERYONE paid then the cost would be less
Yet as it is all those who get free school dinners are often better off than those not receiving them. Because once on tax credits or U/C they get free rent free council tax, extra help with heating and many other benefits.
So they have more disposable income than many not claiming.
Needs addressing quickly
Daily Mail has clearly got to this one, scared that people on UC and child benefits are living a life of luxury.
The Mail is certainly more believable that the woke rubbish in the Guardian or on the BBC
So does Private/Public schools claiming charitable status.
Students in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are all entitled to free school meals
which means chartwells charges the government and as such,the taxpayer will be forking out to feed other peoples kids. the working parents are paying for their own kids food in year 3 and above, as well as subsidising the freeloaders in years 1 and 2
they had them, they should pay for them.
Would rather let kids not eat, than challenge the firms raking in huge profits. Shows your true colours I suppose.
err no sam – the parents chose to have the kids, therefore they should pay – not my problem
Yawn……..
It is called living in a decent and civilised society.
It will be their children wipening your a**s and contributing to your pension one day.
err no jollop – the parents decided to have them, therefore they should pay – not the rest of us
they won’t be wiping any a..s, they will more likely be stealing or vandalising our property.
The sort bought up by charity Government handouts usually end up the same as their parents and breed from puberty upwards so are just a drain on society as well.
You’re right. If they had them and can’t pay for them now for whatever reason they should just bin them.
I mean we can all see what our future finances will be so can make decisions now based on that knowledge. I for instance knew that covid was coming followed by a financial crisis because of my crytstal ball, so I did what any self respecting person would do and sold the non vital organs in my body to the black market. I’ve only a third of a liver and one kidney now but I can at least cover the bills.
no jen, you do what other countries do, you go without or work to buy food – no sponging off others
Go without. Let the kids starve. It’s not just people who don’t work that are struggling you know.
that is correct -no work, means no money and no money, means no food – ergo beg, steal or starve.
More greed with a f*** you attitude for working families
Who are you blameing ?
Rich people or pore people ?
Genuine question.
How poor are pore people?
Lol, my bad………they are very pour !
Far to many pore poor people…..imo.
Another great move by Isle of Wight council, remember the days when schools did own school meal, you had a good meal and often seconds, staff were great too ( not saying frontline staff working for Chartewells aren’t). But it’s a company making huge profits for it shareholders and CEO.
My primary school was on Player Street, Ryde. Pupils from Player Street Primary would walk, in two’s, along the road for lunch. The food was traditional British grub; liver & onions, meat pie, mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh vegetables, followed by steamed or sponge puddings with loads of custard. Proper sponge; spotted dick, jam roly-poly, chocolate sponge. Yum. There was never a choice; you ate what you were given.
Bishop Lovett Middle School produced similar fresh dinners too, all made on-site. Due to a health condition, I was given a small milk bottle during the morning break, where I got to know the kitchen staff at Bishop Lovett. Brucie-bonus, as they always gave me seconds during lunch; extra chocolate sponge.
How much do children (parents) get charged for having cooked school dinners nowadays?
The idea of school dinners was that a nutritious meal could be had by any child and was affordable to all. As soon as this is no longer the case, it’s time to stop school meals!