Cash-strapped school staff are buying food, uniform and stationary for needy kids despite facing cost of living struggles themselves, research shows.
A Unison survey of more than 13,000 support staff such as teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners found nearly all (96%) worry their pay isn't enough to cover their own spiralling bills. One in seven (14%) have used food banks in the last year, and more than two fifths (45%) have had to borrow money to make ends meet.
More than a quarter (26%) have taken a second or third job and nearly half (46%) are eyeing up better paid jobs in administration, hospitality and retail. Nine in 10 (89%) support staff were afraid they wouldn't have enough cash to pay their energy bills or afford food (90%).
To save cash, one in five (20%) only heat one room at home, while almost two thirds (65%) don't use their heating at all. But despite the challenges, more than a third (36%) helped needy pupils with food or uniform (34%), and one in five (22%) with books and stationery.
One worker said: "Despite working 35 hours a week I've had to take on a second job for another 10 hours as I was unable to pay my bills. I am permanently exhausted."
Another told the survey: "I regularly use food banks, clothing banks and have had to sell my furniture. I am dependent on benefits to supplement my income. My pay is also so low that the job centre is making me attend weekly appointments to find another job. I just cannot continue like this."
