HC Deb 06 August 1975 vol 897 cc212-3W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the means test for free school meals has been reviewed to keep in line with inflation.

Mr. Mulley

Yes, the income scale for determining entitlement to free school meals is based on supplementary benefit rates and is revised wherever these rates are changed.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the income

INCOME LIMITS FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE GROSS AND NET INDUSTRIAL EARNINGS
1965 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
One child family
Gross earnings … 41.2 36.7 42.8 41.3 39.2 38.3
Net earnings … 48.4 46.8 54.4 51.9 50.4 50.7
Two child family
Gross earnings … 50.5 45.3 52.9 50.8 48.1 46.9
Net earnings … 56.6 56.4 64.3 62.4 60.5 59.2
Four child family
Gross earnings … 69.2 62.4 72.9 69.8 66.0 64.2
Net earnings … 73.1 74.7 84.9 81.4 79.5 77.1

Notes:

  1. 1. Uniform arrangements for the remission of charge for school meals were first introduced in 1964. Prior to that date local education authorities were free to frame their own arrangements and the relationship between earnings and remission levels for 1960 cannot be given.
  2. 2. The figures of gross earnings used as the basis of the calculations are the average wages of all male employees over 18 in industry and services covered by the Department of Employment annual survey.