THE cost of York school meals is preventing more families choosing them but more demand is needed to bring down prices, a council study has shown.

City of York Council formed a task group earlier this year to look at why hundreds of York children were not receiving the free school food they are entitled to and the overall popularity of school meals, part of the authority’s role in a widespread drive to tackle poverty in the city.

A progress report, which will be discussed by the group of councillors next week, said the £2.25 cost of York meals is the highest in Yorkshire and among similar local authorities, although this is determined by contracts with suppliers.

The task group felt price was “a prohibitive factor in increasing take-up”.

But the report said about 55 per cent of pupils would have to choose school meals to reduce the price to £2 without the council increasing its subsidy. The current take-up rate is 38 per cent.

Figures also revealed that while 1,534 primary school pupils in York are eligible for free school meals, 380 pupils (25 per cent) are not taking them up, meaning schools risk losing out on funding.

The task group report said the “stigma” of free meals, the quality, type and variety of food served and families preferring packed lunches could all be reasons for the gap.

Since the review started, 180 parents or carers of pupils understood to be entitled to free school meals but not taking them have responded to the council’s school services team, with 132 families now claiming them.

The report said: “Work is being done with the other families to identify whether they are still on benefits which qualify them for free school meals.”

It also said a recent Government announcement on plans for infant pupils to have free school meals would mean “a substantial increase” in the number of youngsters receiving them, and the task group wanted to understand the “knock-on effects” on the council’s contract with its supplier.

School meal prices in North Yorkshire County Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s areas are £2.10.

Following a series of school visits this month, the group will draw up conclusions and recommendations, with a draft final report published in January.