They shouldn't have scrapped the previous arrangements.
I remember at Primary school we didn't have school dinners, free or otherwise. Somehow parents managed.
They already receive the money to feed them in benefits and tax credits etc.
Children skipping breakfast isn't just a UK thing, and isn't just a poverty thing.
Link
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Results: Most (86.8% of boys, 81.4% of girls) ate breakfast on both days, 11.8% of boys and 14.8% girls skipped on one day and 1.4% boys and 3.8% girls skipped on both days. Characteristics associated with skipping breakfast were being female, being older, being underweight or overweight/obese, poorer diet, lower physical activity, inadequate sleep, lower household income, greater socioeconomic disadvantage, and being from a single‐parent home.
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Prior to the 2007 survey, the most recent published national Australian data on skipping breakfast were from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Skipping breakfast three or more times per week was reported by 7% of 2–11‐year‐olds and increased to 21% for 12–15‐year‐olds.11 Data from the US and Germany suggest the prevalence of skipping breakfast has increased over time.12, 13 However, in the study from the US the increased prevalence may be due to the different methods used to define breakfast over time.
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If it was about money, the figures between groups would be more uniform and consistent.
Quote:
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Children and adolescents who have inadequate sleep may find it harder to get out of bed in time to have breakfast. Inadequate sleep and skipping breakfast may also be indicators of disorganised households or low parental supervision. Household correlates associated with skipping breakfast were greater socioeconomic disadvantage and being from a single parent home. A review of 24 studies among 6–18‐year‐olds found the family correlates with the most evidence of an association with skipping breakfast were being from a single‐parent home and having a parent who skipped breakfast
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