It’s absurd to charge kids to eat at a place where they must be all day, according to the law.

The law in the United Kingdom requires parents to make sure their children obtain a full-time education, which usually entails going to school.

Parents are legally required to ensure their child obtains a quality education, whether through school or another option, such as homeschooling.

Parents risk penalties or legal action if their child often misses school without authorisation.

If attending school is required by UK law, then the government should cover the cost of school lunches and uniforms since it claims that attendance is mandatory.

The government’s responsibility to pay for school meals and uniforms, however, is a complicated matter with many opposing viewpoints.

While some might argue that government aid is critical for equity and social welfare, others might emphasise the importance of parental accountability and financial constraints.

However, children’s free school lunches should be paid for by the government.

We shouldn’t have to pay for school uniforms and school meals while our government enforces legislation requiring all children to attend school.

Many would dispute this, saying that parents get Child Benefit paid to them, but that wouldn’t even cover the expense of school meals or school uniforms.

Some individuals with greater incomes can afford school lunches and their child’s outfit, while those living below the poverty line struggle greatly.

Those who are on benefits do get free school meals. However, a person receiving benefits in the UK who qualifies for free school meals does not receive a payment, instead, the school provides a free meal, which is valued at approximately £2.45 per day.

In the UK, the cost of a school meal varies by school and whether it’s primary or secondary, but typically it ranges from about £2.20 to £3.55, and numerous children come home extremely hungry because they do not have enough to cover the cost.

Fees vary, and they’re usually set by the school. You can expect to spend about £2 to £3 for a full meal, but a tad less for a toasted sandwich or a panini. That is not enough for a child who is at school trying to learn. After all, our children are our future, and they should be treated with respect and dignity.

Today’s school meals might well be more nutritious than the ones I had as a child, but at least the meals I had as a child filled me up so that I was not hungry until I got home, when my mum would feed me again. However, some children are not so fortunate; their parents work, and when they get home, all that is given to them is a snack, so they go to bed starving.

Also, schools are prohibited from offering sugary beverages, crisps, chocolates and sweets in the canteen or at a vending machine around the school. The concept of a tuckshop that you could go to during your break was really good and should be brought back into schools.

The average cost of a compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear items in England is about £92.35. For primary school, the average price is around £287. However, these averages can differ greatly depending on factors like the school’s exact requirements and whether branded items are required.

There is a government grant that parents can get if they are on a low income. This is done through a school clothing grant or other local authority schemes, but my point is that if it’s illegal not to send your child to school, then the government should pay for free school meals and free uniform – not through a grant but it should be gratis because going to school is mandatory!