Wirral school dinners in 15% price hike

Aug 26 2008 By Staff Reporter

School dinners

RISING food and energy prices have been blamed for a 15 per cent hike in the cost of school dinners in Wirral.

While other Merseyside authorities are making inflationary rises or keeping prices the same, Wirral Council has decided to raise the cost of school dinners at both primary and secondary schools by 30p.

From September meals will be £2 - the highest in the region.

The rises have also been blamed on wage increases across the council.

While many of the borough's high schools use the private sector for school dinners, the majority of the council's primary schools still use the authority's Metro catering service.

A council spokesman said subsidies ensured the costs to parents were kept to a minimum.

He said: "At schools where the council provides meals, the cost will rise to £2 per day in September, from £1.70. The increase is due to rising costs of food, energy and staffing."

Pupils whose parents are on benefits will still be eligible for free meals.