France serves up €1 meals to all university students in effort to cut hardship

Ministers take action after survey shows almost half of students had gone without food for financial reasons

French universities have begun offering €1 (86p) meals to all students regardless of income in a measure designed to address financial hardship.

Student unions have been pushing to extend the €1 rate – down from the usual €3.30 – for a three-course meal to all students, which was previously only available to those with low incomes or receiving financial aid.