More than half of children living in poverty in Hillingdon do not receive free school meals

A new analysis undertaken by the Children's  Society reveals a stark picture for children living in poverty across England. Their figures indicate that in the London Borough of Hillingdon  more than five in 10 children in poverty are not getting a free school meal. In some other areas more than two-thirds of children in poverty missing out on free school meals.

 The Children's Society, through their Fair and Square campaign, are calling on the government to make free school meals available to all children in poverty and urge all people to contact their MP to support this call.

 Nearly half of teachers surveyed in 57 constituencies said they often saw children going hungry in school.

For some children, a free school lunch may be the only proper meal they are getting.

 Matthew Reed, the Children Society's Chief Executive, said: ‘It is shocking that huge numbers of children in poverty across the country are missing out on a free school meal. Every child in poverty should be entitled to this vital support.

'We know from the families we work with up and down the country that parents are struggling to make ends meet. Right now, the government is reconsidering which children will be entitled to get free school meals. We urge the government to take this opportunity to make sure all children in poverty can get a free school meal.'

 

Across the country every day, more than half of the 2.2 million school children living in poverty in England miss out on a free school meal. Of these, 700,000 are not even entitled to one – often because their parents work, regardless of how little they earn.

In collaboration with 38 Degrees, they have already gathered more than 90,000 signatures in support of the campaign. With the introduction of changes to the benefit system under Universal Credit, the government has an important opportunity to make this happen.