Labour criticise Reform over decision to increase cost of school meals provided by Hartlepool council service
Hartlepool Labour chiefs have criticised Reform over a decision to increase the cost of school meals.
Reform replaced Labour in running Hartlepool Borough Council after the party’s clean sweep in May’s local elections.
The council’s neighbourhood and regulatory services committee recently decided to increase the cost of school meals it provides through its in-house catering service from £2.79 to £3.43 from September.
Labour has hit out at the decision saying it is “impossible to justify” and will hit already struggling families.
They say it is in stark contrast to the work of the government which is expanding free school meals and breakfast clubs.
But Reform responded saying it chose the lowest of three options presented, and schools were consulted and have already budgeted for the change.
Hartlepool Labour MP Jonathan Brash said: “This decision tells you everything you need to know about Reform’s priorities.
“Families are watching every penny. They don’t need another bill landing on the kitchen table because Reform couldn’t find a better solution.
“This isn’t balancing the books – it’s balancing them on the backs of hardworking parents.”
Labour Group Leader Cllr Martin Scarborough, a member of the Neighbourhood and Regulatory Services Committee, added: “Reform has chosen to make parents shoulder the burden instead of protecting family budgets.
“Every extra pound matters to families who are already struggling with food, energy bills and household costs. Increasing the price of school dinners by almost a quarter is simply the wrong decision.”
Reform pointed out that the number of school’s now receiving meals from the council’s catering service has fallen significantly over the last ten years as many have converted to academy status and moved to cheaper options.
Just 15 schools are expected to use the council service from September.
Reform also adds that meals provided by the council have been subsidised meaning “taxpayers have been propping up a loss making service year after year”.
They add the decision does not affect free school meals which account for 80% in Hartlepool.
Reform stated: “The committee chose the lowest of the three options on the table, and schools were consulted and have already built this into their budgets.
“No surprises, no ambush. Costed, planned, consulted and delivered committedly.”