Free school dinners ruled out

There are no plans to follow the UK’s lead and give more children on the Isle of Man free school dinners.

Earlier this week plans were announced which would see free meals offered to all children up to the age of seven.

However the Department of Education and Children says it will not be following suit due to the current economic climate.

Extending free meals to children in reception classes and year’s one and two would cost, on average, around £700,000 a year.

The department says this isn’t prudent as the money would have to be diverted from other areas of provision.