The Socialist 1 September 2010

A fightback can stop cuts

A fightback can stop cuts

Our future under attack

Anti-cuts movement builds momentum in Plymouth

North Staffs TUC public meeting against cuts

Cuts hit poor hardest

Fighting the far right in Bradford

Labour's three stooges aid Con-Dem coalition

Government cuts hit our benefits

Keep Middle Street centre open

Defend school meals

Slashing public services: do councillors have 'no choice'?

Lobby the TUC conference

Kazakhstan: Human rights activist beaten and arrested

Worldwide protests against brutal attack on three Russian socialists

Pakistan flood disaster: Workers' solidarity appeal

General strike movement sweeps South Africa

Battles ahead on London Underground

London firefighters ballot for action

Jobs threat at RBS

Coventry mail centre closes

Civil service jobs under the cosh

Previous issues, etc

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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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A fightback can stop cuts