The scene is the House of Lords on Thursday afternoon and Lord Subsidy of Threehundredpoundsadaysbury is thinking about lunch after his post reading morning nap. So, he waddles off to the Peers’ Dining Room.

But the meal subsidy has been scrapped and replaced with a scheme similar to the school meals delivered to homes this week.

Waiter: Good afternoon sir. Can I take your ermine robe? Would you like a copy of today’s menu?

His Lordship: Yes my good man.

W: And can I read for you the specials?

HL: Yes, my dear boy that would be lovely.

W: Well, today sir you can have a small box of raisins.

HL: Hmm.

W: We also have a half an apple left, for you to nibble on.

HL: Oh.

W: A small stick of cheese, but sir may like to save a little for tomorrow because sir is only permitted two sticks a week. And yes,sir, you’ll like this, we do have your little pot of yoghurt left.

HL: What about those tangerines I had the other day? They were delicious.

W:Ah, I’m so sorry sir, but you had two yesterday, and that’s your limit for the week. Sir still has his half an apple available.

HL: Where’s the chargrilled rib eye steak with thick-cut chips, tomato, mushroom

and Béarnaise sauce, I used to get for £8.04?

W: That was the old system, sir. Remember you get a bag delivered for the week now.

HL: The Prune, orange and Armagnac bread and butter pudding for £2.37?

W: Not anymore sir.

HL: Shortbread, frangipane, marzipan mousse and black cherry Bakewell Delice?

W: Afraid not, sir.

HL Ok. How about that tinned tuna, I had the other day then?

W: Only one tin a week and His Lordship scoffed that all in one go on Tuesday with the tinned sweetcorn, didn’t he?

HL: Ah Yes. The noodles?

W: Gone, sir. His Lordship had half a packet on Monday with his one pepper and then didn’t fancy the other half so they were thrown out yesterday.

HL: So basically I have nothing left from my weekly allowance but a box of raisins, half an apple and a stick of cheese.

W: I’m afraid so your Lordship.

HL: We’ll then, I’ll just have to head outside and take my chances in the real world. Any idea what it’s like there, my good man.

W: Good luck, Your Lordship.

Of course, that would never happen, not even in a pandemic.

It may seem an easy, predictable comparison to make between the £4m a year subsidised food for Lords and MPs, many of whom are wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of the average citizen, never mind someone whose child gets free school meals.

But it is an example of the wrong priorities, of spending money on something that is not absolutely necessary then claiming there is not enough money to go round when it comes to those in genuine need. 

And yes, the subsidised food is available for the army of Commons and Lords staff who are not multi millionaires.

But does anyone think an MP’s office assistant or a Lords cleaner has the time or money to spend eleven quid a day on steak and Bakewell delice of a lunchtime.

So why is it acceptable for parents whose children who are eligible, and therefore entitled, to free school meals to be given supplies that will not last the week.

In Glasgow the parents are given cash to pay for lunches while their children are schooled at home.

A similar voucher scheme existed last year over the summer holidays to combat holiday hunger.

The UK Government resisted, last year, allocating more cash to pay for school meals for those in the most disadvantaged families and had to be dragged into reality by a campaign fronted by Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford.

It is not only the decisions not to provide what is a relatively small sum of money to try to ensure no child is going hungry that lies at the door of the decision makers.

The reason why many of these children rely on their school, council or food banks for a meal in many cases is down to policies and practices that could be stopped.

Many, and increasingly a majority, of the parents who are eligible for the help are in work of some sort.

But in many cases they are in a job with no permanent contract, no guaranteed hours and no security that they will have a job at the same time next week.

They are paid the minimum wage, which is not enough to live on without the need to claim top up benefits, which have been cut to the bone.

They are struggling with rising energy costs in a poorly regulated market where the poorest are often on the highest tariff.

And even when the do get cash they are more likely to live in an area where they are charged a fee by an ATM to withdraw it.

So while right now there is the need to provide adequate free school meals and at home when the children are not in school, there is a need to take the action that can lower the number of children reliant on free meals.

Act now to ensure the children are fed.

Then act to ensure the parents are not working for poverty wages.