STAFFORDSHIRE parents whose children are entitled to free school meals are being urged to take up the offer amid fears some youngsters are going without.
It follows a survey suggesting that one in eight of the poorest children in the UK will go without one hot meal a day.
Parents claiming some benefits can now take up the offer of the free meals if their child is registered at a Staffordshire school and are in school at lunch time.
The meals cost £2.10 in primary, special and middle schools, and £2.20 in high schools.
Liz Staples, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, said: “I understand that for some there is a stigma attached to claiming a free school meal for their child, but school meals are a good way to make sure children eat well at lunchtime.”
To apply visit www.staffordshire .gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
