HC Deb 13 December 1976 vol 922 cc592-4W
Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the eligibility limit for free school meals for a one, two and four child family, expressed as a percentage of (a) gross and (b) net average industrial earnings for each year since 1954.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The figures, which in some cases differ marginally

INCOME LIMITS FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE GROSS AND NET INDUSTRIAL EARNINGS
1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975
% % % % % % % % % % % %
One child family
Gross earnings 37.4 41.2 39.8 42.1 42.4 41.3 36.7 42.8 41.3 39.2 38.3 40.1
Net earnings 43.0 48.4 47.2 50.7 51.9 51.2 46.8 54.4 51.9 50.4 50.7 55.0
Two child family
Gross earnings 46.1 50.5 48.8 51.4 52.2 50.7 45.3 52.9 50.8 48.1 46.9 49.2
Net earnings 50.7 56.6 55.1 58.9 62.1 61.5 56.4 65.0 62.4 60.5 60.4 65.9
Four child family
Gross earnings 63.5 69.2 66.7 70.2 71.7 69.7 62.4 72.9 69.8 66.0 64.2 67.3
Net earnings 67.0 73.1 70.6 75.1 81.3 80.8 74.7 84.9 81.4 79.5 78.2 86.5

1. Prior to September 1964 local education authorities were free to frame their own arrangements for the remission of charge for school meals. It is not, therefore possible to outline the relationship between earnings and remission levels before that date.

2. The figures of gross earnings used as the basis of calculations are the average wage of all male employees over 18 in industry and services covered by the Department of Employment annual survey.

3. Net earnings are taken as gross earnings less income tax and national insurance. Income tax payments assume that the family is in receipt of family allowances, but no account has otherwise been taken of receipts from this source in gross or net earnings.

4. For purposes of calculating income tax, the ages of the children are taken respectively as: one under 11; one under 11 and one between 11 and 16; two under 11, one between 11 and 16 and one over 16.

5. The percentages are based on the point on the school meals remission scale at which the parent is no longer entitled to free school meals for any child.

6. The income eligibility limits are those laid down in the Department's remission arrangements for the school meals charge. Parents in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or Family Income Supplement are automatically entitled to free school meals for all their children at school.

7. Figures for 1976 are not yet available.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science

from estimated figures given in earlier answers, are as follows:

what is the estimated full economic cost of a school meal in the maintained system taking into account not only the cost of food but also other necessary overheads together with the cost of premises and, where appropriate, transport.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The figure of 49p which I gave in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 30th November 1976 includes the cost of food, salaries and wages and all other normal overheads including repairs and maintenance, rent and rates and transport.— [Vol. 921, c.117.]