A SHOCKING 2,770 children from poorer backgrounds in North and East Yorkshire are missing out on free school dinners, it emerged today.
Bad food and parents not applying because of excess form-filling have been blamed for the low uptake.
The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the figures, want a Government shake-up of the system.
According to official Department for Education figures, 780 children at state secondary schools in York are entitled to a free lunch. But 210 - 26.9 per cent - are missing out.
In primary schools, the figure is 240 of 1,340 (17.9 per cent) poorer children.
In North Yorkshire, 570 out of 2,390 secondary school youngsters (23.8 per cent) and 630 out of 3,910 (16.1 per cent) primary schoolchildren are not taking the free meals offer.
In East Riding of Yorkshire, 580 of 1,790 secondary children (32.4 per cent) and 540 of 2,630 (20.5 per cent) primary children missed out.
Harrogate MP Phil Willis, the Liberal Democrats education spokesman, said the system was not up to scratch.
He said: "The whole point of free school meals is to provide the most needy children with a good nutritious meal - yet many would rather do without."
A Department for Education spokesman said: "The Department is currently working with the Department of Work Pensions and Inland Revenue to simplify and streamline the free school meal application process".
Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, March 30, 2004
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