FOR children from low-income families, free school meals are a right, not a privilege, yet many parents do not claim.

If all eligible families did claim, Middlesbrough schools would benefit by an additional £1.2m a year (Echo, Jan 10).

In addition, children’s health would improve – school meals are much healthier than chips, burgers or crisps – and you save money. What’s not to like?

Thanks to the pre-loaded payment card, there is no shame involved. Yet some 3,000 families in the town are missing out and I would urge them to apply.

I support the Mayor’s youth agenda to increase the take-up of free school meals.

It’s a pity the Mayor, who delights in hammering the Government, has not praised the Coalition for introducing the pupil premium which means an extra £430 for every pupil who gets free school meals.

Chris Foote-Wood, parliamentary spokesperson, Middlesbrough Liberal Democrats.