Hundreds of children across Sussex are refusing the option of free school meals.

More than 3,300 youngsters in the county do not take up the opportunity of a hot lunch despite many being brought up in poverty.

The figures, from the Department of Children, Schools and Families, show only 75% of eligible youngsters in Brighton and Hove take up the option - compared to a national average of 85%.

Green Party Councillor Rachel Fryer blamed “stigma” around free meals for the low take up.

She said: “It’s obviously a concern when children, many of whom are living in poverty, do not want to take up the option of a free hot meal.

“I think, especially in secondary schools, there is a certain stigma attached to school dinners which puts people off.

“We need to go and talk to the children and ask them why they do not want them.”

Of 4,649 youngsters eligible for school meals in the city 1,171 make other arrangements.

In the primary schools of 2,763 - or 15.9% - of pupils are eligible but only 2,036 - 11.7% - take them.

For secondary schools the respective figures are 1,886 or 15.3% and 1,442 or 11.8%.

Councillor Vanessa Brown, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Extensive work is taking place in partnership with the contractor for primary schools in order to deliver a popular menu which delivers on prescribed nutritional standards. This is made harder by the inevitability that some children have a preference for food which is less healthy.”

Coun Brown added the council is promoting healthy menus, introducing online applications for free school meals and bringing in a ticketless system at food counters.

In West Sussex schools 1053 - or 17% - out of 6178 eligible opt out.

In East Sussex 1123 - or 16% - out of 6891 eligible opt out.

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said: "Since we started reintroducing hot meals in primary schools, we have seen a noticeable increase in the take up of those eligible for free meals.

"We certainly encourage people who are eligible to apply for them and we are looking into ways of making it easier for them to apply."

A spokeswoman for East Sussex County Council said: “The challenges around uptake of free school meals are not unique to East Sussex and the picture across the country is broadly the same.”

She added it was looking at introducing a anonymous cashless catering system which has been proved to increase the uptake of free meal students in secondary schools.

Children whose parents are on employment benefits are eligible for free school meals.

To register for free school meals visit www.direct.gov.uk.

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