Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/636/10159
From The Socialist newspaper, 1 September 2010
Defend school meals
SOME TORY councils are showing what effects the Cameron/ Clegg cuts will have. Croydon in south London is ending its contract for school meals with Eden Foodservice, and has told schools to provide their own meals.
Local parents are worried that schools will go for the cheapest option. Schools have limited finances and limited time to fix replacements. Poorer parents could find their children get no hot meal.
The 1944 Education Act made school meals provision a statutory duty for local authorities, with school meals either free or at cost price.
Thatcher's government removed such obligation in 1980, abolishing school meals as a state-owned public service and opening it up to private firms.
Concerns about diet and obesity will be seen as secondary compared to the problems of operating within cut budgets.
Facing anti-public service Tories as well as privatised service providers at national and local level, school students, teachers and parents will have to fight for a decent future.
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In The Socialist 1 September 2010:
Youth fight for jobs
Anti-cuts campaign
Anti-cuts movement builds momentum in Plymouth
North Staffs TUC public meeting against cuts
Anti-racism
Fighting the far right in Bradford
Socialist Party news and analysis
Labour's three stooges aid Con-Dem coalition
Government cuts hit our benefits
Keep Middle Street centre open
Socialist Party feature
Slashing public services: do councillors have 'no choice'?
International socialist news
Kazakhstan: Human rights activist beaten and arrested
Worldwide protests against brutal attack on three Russian socialists
Pakistan flood disaster: Workers' solidarity appeal
International feature
General strike movement sweeps South Africa
Socialist Party workplace news
Battles ahead on London Underground
London firefighters ballot for action
Civil service jobs under the cosh
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