Fuel4kids should not be confused with breakfast clubs, a separate initiative introduced as part of individual paid for 'wrap around care' packages offered to families who need childcare whilst they work.

Of course you can't spend money you haven't got, but the money that was already in the budget for Fuel4kids was redirected by the new mayor in September to be spent on such things as 100 more dog waste bins and allowing those who have cars to park free in town centres.

Using the argument of 'Mum of One', why should those without dogs pay for extra bins and those without cars support those who have them?

The point is about what your priorities are, and members of my political party are very aware of all the national surveys showing the need to improve educational and health standards amongst children and young people and we work to provide ways to meet that need.

As Fuel4kids was paid for from the council's General Revenue Fund and not from the Dedicated Schools budget, at no time could this money ever have been spent on teachers and the Conservatives have already admitted that their emotive slogan 'free toast or a teacher' was false.

In the two years the scheme was in operation improvements were already showing in attendance, concentration and educational attainment amongst those children who enjoyed the breakfasts, as well as better social interaction with teachers and other pupils.

The mayor, for some reason, has recently done a partial u-turn by introducing a complicated postcode lottery for schools to qualify for money to spend on free breakfasts.

Schools that do not qualify can still offer breakfasts if every child including those eligible for free school meals pays £2 a day.

The other disgrace is where the new money comes from to allow this means-tested scheme to happen.

Money now being used for the replacement breakfast scheme comes from a time-limited Educational Standards Fund grant provided by the government and earmarked specifically for the benefit of disadvantaged children.

In other words, this money should be spent on learning support, including extra teachers, for a targeted number of children with special needs and not on free breakfasts for all.

I also understand, and am fairly certain that most parents won't realise, but this money ends in the summer.

The Tories really do not want any free healthy breakfasts.

Some have been put back temporarily to appease protesters, but they
will stop when the money runs out after the elections.

MURIEL GREEN
Labour councillor
North Tyneside Council

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