26 November 2025
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has said the Minister must have ambition to deliver universal free school meals.
She was speaking after the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion passed in the Assembly on Tuesday.
East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said:
“At a time when the North is languishing behind the rest of these islands when it comes to expanding free school meal provision the Minister had the opportunity to come to the Assembly and outline how we could hope to introduce universal free school meals by 2030. Instead in his response we saw his typical deflection and refusal to engage with the issue at hand.
“The SDLP brought this motion to highlight the number of children going hungry, with one in five living in poverty not qualifying for free school meals. We have heard from teachers about children who are coming to school without enough to eat, with many school staff dipping into their own pockets to provide food.
“Contrary to what the Minister said, this policy would be beneficial for our economy in the long-term. All the evidence shows that free schools meals result in healthier, happier young people with better educational outcomes. Instead of driving progress, when it comes to free school meals and holiday hunger support we are actually going backwards.
"Refusing to even consider moving towards universal free school meals is a political choice, the Minister’s choice and he will have to own it.”