People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has confirmed he will vote against all of the Education Minister’s amendments to the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill at today’s Further Consideration Stage. He will back the Education Committee’s amendments to ensure payments are never lower than the price of a school dinner.
Gerry Carroll MLA said:
“More than 90,000 children here are entitled to free school meals. Since the holiday food grant was scrapped in 2023, their families have been left with no support when the school gates close. Paul Givan’s amendments would strip out the deadline for payments to begin and hand the Department the power to decide when, if ever, families see a penny. This Bill could become law and sit on a shelf.”
“The Minister says £20 million is unaffordable, but that’s around 0.6% of the total education budget. Meanwhile the Education Authority’s taxi bill has doubled to almost £40 million a year, with private operators paid up to £83 per mile. The Minister also found £60,000 a year for a DUP colleague to chair the Education Authority. There’s always money for some, just never for hungry children.
“Time and again, working-class families are told to wait while budgets are balanced on their backs. This Bill should be a floor, rather a ceiling. People Before Profit wants universal free school meals for every child, ending means-testing, stigma and red tape.
“I’m urging every MLA to reject these amendments, keep the deadline and make sure no child goes hungry.”