Charities call for expansion of free school meals as parents struggle with costs

Charities including Chefs in Schools have called on the government to expand eligibility for free school meals after research found a third of families can no longer afford the hot lunches.

Polling of parents across England revealed that 56% were struggling to make ends meet, with 41% sending their children to school with a packed lunch due to rising food costs.

An anonymous account from a parent read: “It makes me feel like a failure, I feel it makes my child less focused.”

Another said: “It makes me feel terrible and guilt ridden as [my child is] no longer able to sit with friends that do have school meals.”

Naomi Duncan, chief executive of Chefs in Schools, said: “The chancellor must take action this Autumn Statement to ensure no child goes hungry at school. We now have growing inequality, where age or location determines whether a child is fed in school. It’s unjustifiable.

“Eating a meal in school goes beyond immediate hunger, providing powerful fuel for learning too. Yet, parents are struggling to afford hot school meals or nutritious packed lunches. There would be no better investment this Government could make in the future, than ensuring access to decent, hot, nutritious, meals in our schools.”

In Englandm only families earning less than £7,400, excluding benefits, are entitled to free school meals. In Scotland and Wales, free school meals are in the process of being introduced for all primary school children. In Northern Ireland, families with an income of less than £14,000 are eligible for free school meals.

In London, all primary school children are now entitled to free school meals following a policy change from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

The coalition of campaigners calling for government action includes Chefs in Schools, Biteback 2030, the Food Foundation, Sustain, Impact on Urban Health, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and School Food Matters.

Image: Shutterstock