Free school meals under scrutiny

The Government is to help fund a research project with the Child Poverty Action Group to find out why children entitled to free school meals do not take them up.

Schools minister Jacqui Smith said: "About 3% of primary pupils and 5% of secondary pupils are known to be eligible for a free school meal but are not recorded as having taken one.

"In some local education authorities the proportion of children failing to take up their entitlement is significantly higher.

"This study will research the reasons why some eligible pupils choose to not take up their entitlement to a free school lunch and recommend local strategies for improvement."

The findings will help underpin the Government's objective of introducing new nutritional standards for school lunches, due to be launched next April.

Smith said: "Children entitled to a free meal are much more likely to benefit from the Government's new nutritional standards. But they will not be able to benefit if they are not having a meal."

The research will aim to highlight good practice in areas where there is already a high take-up of free meals.

The Department for Education is also working closely with the Department of Health and cereal manufacturer Kelloggs to promote breakfast clubs in schools.