Derry Trades Union Council organised a rally at 4pm in Guildhall Square to mark International School Meals Day. The event called for all children in Northern Ireland to receive free school meals, similar to provisions in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

The council noted that free school meals are available to all children up to primary year 3 or 4 in those areas. In Northern Ireland, eligibility depends on low household income thresholds.

DTUC Chair Damien Doherty stated that over four in ten children living in poverty cannot access free school meals due to these limits. He added that no child should go hungry at school and that meals should not burden families facing cost-of-living pressures.

Doherty urged support for children, schools and struggling families.