Rising number of children on free school meals

The number of children entitled to free school meals has increased in all English regions.

Figures from January show that 22.5% of students are now qualifying, up from 20.8% last year – an increase of 160,000 to 1.9 million – and 13.6% in 2018.

Another 800,000 children who also live in poverty are not entitled to meals, says the Child Poverty Action Group.

The Government says it is spending £37billion to help families with living expenses.

London and the West Midlands have the highest increases – but the North East (29.1%) and West Midlands (26.5%) still have the highest production rates.

Since Tyrone Myton took over as Head of Shirley High School in Croydon, south London three years ago, there has been a significant increase in the number of his pupils being given access to free school meals.

The 42-year-old former semi-professional footballer, who became a PE teacher after an injury, told BBC News it was important to eat free as a schoolboy.

“From my own personal experience, sometimes the hot meal you get at school is maybe the only one you get, so it’s important that we can offer that to people who can’t always afford it,” he said.

He was very fortunate to have really caring parents, but “ultimately they struggled too.”

“Coming from a South London township, I think we need to make sure the gap between the haves and have-nots doesn’t widen,” Mr Myton said.

His main concern are children who live in poverty and are not eligible.

Those with “access to a free school lunch are probably in a better position than those just above the threshold,” he said.

“You really need to look at the criteria,” Mr Myton added.

Last week, 11 education groups wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi asking for an “urgent” expansion of the program that would make all children from families receiving universal credit eligible.

Currently in England all pupils in public schools can receive free school meals during their school years up to the second year.

Those aged three and over living in households receiving income-related benefits such as Universal Credit are also eligible as long as their annual household income – excluding benefits and after tax – does not exceed £7,400.

In Northern Ireland this limit is £14,000.

Scotland and Wales recently committed to introducing free school meals for all primary school children.

National Association of Head Teachers President Paul Gosling said 45% of his pupils at Exeter Road Community Primary School in Exmouth, Devon, now have free school meals after poverty has risen “shockingly and sharply”.

“The local food bank has given me ’emergency rations’ to give to families in crisis,” he said.

“We’ve also recently noticed an increase in children coming to school tired because they don’t have heating at home and have difficulty sleeping on cold nights.”

An education ministry official said it “communicates regularly with schools and councils so they know what is available for these children.”

“Our National School Breakfast Program and Holiday Activities and Food Program also benefit children across the country,” the official added.

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