CPAG responds to Schools Bill
28.02.06

Responding to the Education and Inspection Bill published by Ruth Kelly today, Child Poverty Action Group Chief Executive Kate Green said:

“Giving local authorities the freedom to offer all pupils free school meals, fresh fruit and milk is an important step in the right direction but without extra resources local authorities will find it difficult to do this.

“We urge the Government to take a bolder step and fund free school meals for all children. Since one in four children entitled to free school meals do not receive them, universal free school meals would overcome current stigma and ensure that all children, particularly the poorest, get a decent meal each day. The investment needed could easily be saved in years to come as children perform better at school, become healthier and the rise in obesity is curbed."

On other measures in the Bill, Ms Green added:

“Having a guarantee that there will be no return to selection by ability, a ban on interviews and a stronger status for the admissions code are all very welcome moves.

“It is a scandal that poor children are still half as likely to get five good GCSEs as their wealthier classmates, so the key test of these reforms will be whether they break or exacerbate the link between poverty and educational underachievement.”

Notes to editors

CPAG’s response to the Schools White Paper inquiry held by the Education and Skills select committee is available on the Policy Briefings page.

Download CPAG's response:
Education and Skills Select Committee - Inquiry into Schools White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All: CPAG response (210 KB Word file)

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk