What a story to start a new week. The Mayor of London is drawing on higher than expected tax revenues from business rates to fund a one-year universal programme offering free meals to all primary school students in London. Is this subsidy worth it?

Naturally it invites students to consider the costs and benefits of such a programme. Something similar is being rolled out in Wales and in Scotland.

Studies show food insecurity affects brain development, cognitive ability, health outcomes & academic achievement. It is a temporary measure but hopefully one that sends a powerful signal. And here's hoping that the funding can be found for all primary school children in the UK to have properly funded school meals.

Sadly the capacity to provide cooked food in schools has been hollowed out in the wake of two decades and more of out-sourcing to private caterers.

Wales: Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM)