Universal free school meals are beneficial and popular - but the UK's provision remains patchy.

The school meal is an infallible index of the values of a society. Originally designed by social reformers to counter the scourge of hunger, the school meal service is now perceived by many governments as a means to promote social justice, public health and educational attainment, as well as being climate friendly. Perhaps this is the reason why the school meal service is finally being propelled from the margins to the mainstream of political debate in several countries. As I outline in my latest book, Serving the Public, the demand for universal free school meals is now gathering momentum.