News » WAB Debate

they dont give very much away theses day a free lunch is not much 

I personally find it really helpful, it does support students with low income! 

I worked 2 jobs at college to pay for myself because my parents couldn't afford it as well as studying full time and doing volunteer work to help me get to uni...at 16 it's time children learn to stand on their own two feet. Giving people a free lunch is not going to encourage them to grow up and start being independant.

Maybe so but thats not the point, the point is people that stay on at school get a free lunch a person that is in the same financial situation that goes to college does not. It's about people getting a fair deal and being treated equally

I don't think anyone should get a free lunch college or staying on at school

All students should be treated as equals my oldest daughter is a student why should she miss out because both her parents work hard and pay taxes also being independant is not a bad thing its about time the people who put into the money pot start to get something back themselves not paying for others !!

All students should be treated as equals my oldest daughter is a student why should she miss out because both her parents work hard and pay taxes also being independant is not a bad thing its about time the people who put into the money pot start to get something back themselves not paying for others !!

I had to work as my parents didn't have money to give me. Working does you good and teaches valuable lessons about time management. I don't think they should get free dinners

Low incomes dont always get support tho - just cos we work and on a low income we get naff all. If u dont work you get everything. Why throw more money at people that dont work. They get money to support there kids, they should support them not my taxes, by the time ive paid everything that non workers dont have to pay out im probally worse off but still get no help.

Support low income familys that work - but that wont happen!

I think it's a good idea as I worked two jobs whilst I was at college full time and ended up being poorly & late with work. If I had that extra bit of support I would have been fine and would have enjoyed my time in college.

I think that every student should recieve a free meal for every full day at college, there are a lot of people that have to go without and would be fair for everyone to recieve the same treatment 

No no no stop expecting things for free that y we as a country r in the state we r wi everybody expecting things for free y theres help wi bus fairs wot else do people want cant they take a packed lunch dont u realise when all these extra benefit are handed owt its from us the hard working tax payer n its not our kids who benefit from this

If they're proposing this then I think it should either every student getting a free lunch regardless of parental income, or no students getting a free lunch!

The term 'free' is not exactly true though unfortunately. Yes students will not have to pay for the lunch but it will cost around £40 millions pounds a year to provide these lunches which will be passed on to the tax payer. If this country is to get itself sorted financially then this latest schemes doesn't seem to be one that will help, as it will mean everyone has to pay more. I always paid for lunches at school and at sixth form and have to agree with an earlier post that people now are expecting too much for nothing. Society rewards those who don't want to get qualifications and don't want to work. Where is the incentive to do well? One option would be to run a similar scheme where those who attend sixth form / college get a one off payment (the same as the cost of lunches would have cost over the 2 year period) once they start in full time employment. This may not help in the short term BUT dies offer the incentive to go out looking for a job at a later date.

There's absolutely NO REASON why a family on benefits can't afford a loaf of bread & something to put inside it for a sandwich.  Welfare is meant to provide the basics & as far as I know the human rights act doesn't cover being able to spend an extra 10 minutes in bed instead of making yourself a packed lunch.  
A hot meal at lunch time or coffee & muffins from the college Costa bar is a LUXURY.

I have backed the campaign, but only as a work within an education establishment, but like anything is should only be for those who are in specific hardship cases. I agree with what you are saying that why should i the taxpayer have to pay for other people's kid's who carnt be botherd to even make a packed lunch ! .

The truth is we do get those type of people and those that take the mick ,but i have also seen student who parent's carnt even afford to put clothes on there backs. Believe it or not there are a majority of students who come to education establishments who are in care, hostels , liveing with exstended family who carnt even afford to put hot food on a plate at home. The only nice hot meal they get is at the college/school.

Like anything there are the pro's and cons, and people work around the system to squeeze every penny they have out of the establishment even though they dont need it ! The truth is you have to question the people who take the mick and for those who actually need it. The support is excellent for those in real hardship but like anything else you have those who apply for evertthing even though they dont need it.

You can really tell a student who appreciates the support and those that dont and that why school and colleges have advisers to check and question cases but like anything if that student is applicable even if they dont need it they will try there very best to take it !

What makes me very mad is the people who dont understand who the support is really for !!!
The many times i have seen adults 18+ apply for meals  and complain that oh ...we had sandwhiches yesterday, oh ...the desert prices are too small !!!! . Well if you dont like it  bring your own in food in then, your getting it for free !!!!!!!!!

sorry the desert portion's

Well that's a fair point, why not start a campaign then.

Students should yes, what about parents that skip meals to make sure their children get fed? If students attendance is above 90% or if its below due to a legitimate reason they should be entitled to free meals and discount travel!

Okay so if the students parents are low income? What if the student is 35 years old? At what age would they start looking at the individuals income and if they do then ask yourself.. how many students do you know who are not low income? What this amounts to is free lunch for everybody and slightly higher tuition rates as a result or higher student loan rates depending on who is footing the bill for it.