Our friends at Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have evaluated the latest data on child poverty and free school meals (FSM), and found the picture is no better than it was a year ago. Still, one in three schoolchildren living in poverty in England does not qualify for free school meals.
The actual number has been calculated as approximately 900,000 children, up from the 800,000 calculated last year. Meanwhile, the eligibility criteria for FSM have remained unchanged yet again: households must be receiving universal credit and have earnings below £7,400 per year. This suggests the number of children living in poverty in England has increased over the past twelve months.
Wherever there is a threshold, children will miss out. The best thing the government can do is invest in the next generation, with delicious, nutritious and sustainable school food, properly funded for all. Guarantee every child at least one hot meal a day, no matter where they grow up.
You can read CPAG’s latest briefing on FSM here.
