Hundreds of families outside of London are sending their children to school without food amid soaring costs, according to a new survey.
The study, by The Food Foundation and The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), found that of the families who didn’t have access to Free School Meals 16 per cent had to send their child to school without lunch some days because they couldn’t afford school meals or packed lunches, with an additional 42 per cent worried this would happen in the future.
The survey also reported 32 per cent of parents said their child ate a smaller lunch at school some days because they cannot afford school meals or packed lunches.
TBBT, which runs 120 food clubs for people on low incomes across the North of England, received nearly 3,000 responses from its members, and also found 31 per cent of parents said their child eats a less healthy lunch at school some days.
The researchers at The Food Foundation and TBBT said the results highlight the “postcode lottery” of access to healthy and nutritious food in England.
Earlier this month, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the extension of Universal Free School Meals for state primary school children across the capital. This programme costs the Greater London Authority approximately £130m a year.
Families across the rest of England face a specific eligibility criteria for Free School Meals by applying through their local authority.
Currently all children at state schools in England are entitled to free school lunches from reception up to Year 2.
