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Unions 'fight back' against school dinner price hike

Michael FitzpatrickBBC News NI
News imageBBC A bald man with black glasses and clear frames. He is wearing a navy sweatshirt and a grey shirt. The background is blurred but a white building and feint pictures of protesters can be pictured standing behind himBBC
Patrick Mullholland from NIPSA said the new plans are "unachievable"

Trade unions have taken part in a protest against an increase in the price of school dinners and other savings plans announced by the Education Authority (EA).

The rally, at Stormont, was organised by NIPSA, Unite, GMB and Unison.

Last month the EA said the cost of a school dinner for primary and special school pupils will go up by 50p from £2.60 to £3.10. Post-primary pupils face price rises of 19% on food they buy from school canteens.

The price rises will take effect from January 2026.

The EA has said it is facing a funding gap of £300m and, unlike in previous years, does not expect additional in-year money to address the shortfall.

News imageA crowd of around 20 protesters gather outside Stormont buildings. All of the protesters can be seen waving flags belonging to different unions. Stormont can be seen in the background. In the foreground there is a red flag covering the picture. It is red with white writing with the word UNISON, one of the unions protesting pictured spelt backwards. Some of the crowd are holding a purple and green banner saying "all you need is lunch!
Multiple teaching unions gathered at Stormont on Wednesday afternoon to hold a protest against the new plans

The deputy general secretary of NIPSA, Patrick Mullholland said the unions were determined to "fight back" against the EA's plans.

"The Education Authority has brought forward a package of cuts for education services this year, those cuts are unachievable in our view, but they are also extremely damaging if the Education Department actually tries to implement them.

"Our point to the EA, is that they need to set a budget that is based on people's needs, that means it will have to be an overspend budget".

"We have to reach the point where the decisions of the Northern Ireland Assembly are based on the needs of the people, rather than directives from Westminster."

'Completely irresponsible'

News imageA woman with grey hair wearing large clear lensed glasses is pictured. She is wearing a black coat and a grey scarf and is smiling.
Kellie Turtle said it is an irresponsible increase

Kellie Turtle, policy officer, from the Unison trade union said the increase to the school meal cost is "completely irresponsible".

"It's placing the burden of the funding gap in education on to children, on to families, many of whom are already struggling to pay.

"The cuts that have been proposed do seem to disproportionately impact children who may already be marginalised with our education system.

"For example some of the cuts to EOTAS services and transport services will have a disproportionate impact on children with special educational needs."

'Vulnerable children suffer the most'

Jim Donley from the GMB trade union said the EA needed the "appropriate funding" from the Executive.

"When all the cuts come, it's usually the vulnerable children that suffer the most.

"We need an education system that is fit for purpose and it needs to be properly funded from the Executive."

When the cost of school meals went up the EA said that the cost of a school dinner had not risen since 2017/18 while inflation had increased by around 35% in that time.

They said that each school meal costs an average of £4.28 to produce.

On Wednesday the EA said the hikes are "not a situation anyone at EA wants to be in" but it is the reality.