MANY of us spend at least three times as much on our lunchtime sandwiches, so 44p does not seem excessive for a school meal.

But that is actually more than they cost in York at the moment.

Some parents, digging into their pockets to fund the school meal increase, may curse Jamie Oliver. Most, we are sure, are more positively inclined to the TV chef. It was his campaign which revealed how little thought and money have been invested in school dinners. An extra few pence is a small price to pay for healthier children.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, July 19, 2005