Charities call for free school meals for all children

A group of charities have called on the government to extend access to free school meals to more children.

According to research by Barnardo’s, nearly one in five parents are buying unhealthy food for their children every week, because they can’t afford healthier alternatives.

At the same time, a poll from School Food Matters has found that since the start of the academic year, one in five teachers have seen an increase in the number of children who are too hungry to learn.

The two charities, along with The Food Foundation, Chefs in Schools and Bite Back, are now urging the government to extend access to free school meals to all children from families who get universal credit or equivalent benefits.

They believe the move could have many advantages, including:

• better health and wellbeing
• improved attendance
• better pupil outcomes
• social benefits including reduced inequalities

The charities also believe this could be a “first step” to universal free school meals.

Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “Far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food, with huge knock-on effects for their health both now and in the future.

“We know that parents are making big sacrifices so their children have the best food they can afford.
 
“But with the price of basic items staying stubbornly high, healthy food is out of reach for too many families, with people living in poverty find it harder to buy, cook and eat good food.”

Celebs back campaign

The charities’ campaign is being supported by celebrity chefs Tom Kerridge, Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, as well as EastEnders star Michelle Collins.

“Clearly something is broken within that free school meal system,” Kerridge commented.

“Trying to get something more robust and solid in place is desperately needed. 

“For many of these kids, a free school meal is the only meal they get that’s warm”

Collins added: “As the children of a single parent, my sister and I were both eligible for free school meals, but you had to join a separate queue, which could be a humiliating experience for the kids. 

“Sadly, I think some of that stigma still exists today.
 
“I’m supporting this campaign for universal free school meals to ensure everyone is treated the same and that children are getting the healthy food they need with no questions asked.”

Can my child get free school meals?

Your child could get free school meals if you get benefits including:

• income support
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• support under part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999
• the guaranteed element of pension credit
• child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• working tax credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
• universal credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If you’re not sure whether your child could be eligible for free school meals, then get in touch with your local council directly. 

In most areas, you can apply through your local authority’s website, which you can find at www.gov.uk.