§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science up to what level of gross earnings mortgage repayments and work expenses are taken into account for purposes of assessing entitlement to free school meals.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIn assessing entitlement to free school meals, mortgage repayments and work expenses may be offset against income whatever the level of gross earnings.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science 338W whether it is possible for someone paying higher rate tax also to be eligible for free school meals for his children.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIn theory, this is possible and has been so since at least 1964, when a national scheme replaced nationally approved local arrangements.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science up to what level of gross earnings a married man with four school-age children would be entitled to claim free school meals for his children, assuming mortgage repayments of £200 a month, work expenses of £70 a month, rates of £50 per month and superannuation £10 per month.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonTo qualify for free school meals, the net parental income of a family with four school-age children would have to be less than £56.45 per week. The Question gives insufficient detail about the family circumstances, or what proportion of the mortgage repayment would attract tax relief, to enable an exact figure for gross earnings to be calculated.