Free school meals to be extended to more children

Through our advocacy and campaigns work, we are committed to calling for the changes needed to put an end to child poverty.  

Our recent research report reveals a staggering increase in child poverty within Catholic schools across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. More than 95 per cent of school leaders we surveyed reported a rise in the number of children in their schools living in poverty over the past three years. 

In response to this, we are calling for urgent reforms, including an end to the two-child limit on benefits and free school meals for all primary-aged children. 

We were pleased to see last week’s announcement from the Government about the expansion of free school meals to all children whose parents receive Universal Credit.  

Our research found that too many children are going to school hungry and this has a significant impact on their wellbeing and educational outcomes, so it is a step in the right direction that more children across the country will become eligible for a free school lunch.  

However, with more children being pulled into poverty every day, there is still more work to be done.

Free school meals for all children would ease the financial strain on more parents with low incomes and help reduce the stigma associated with poverty, fostering a more inclusive environment within school communities.  

Furthermore, we know that scrapping the two-child limit is the change that would lift the most children out of poverty at the lowest cost per child. It is essential that parents have sufficient incomes to be able to provide for their children.

We will keep advocating for an end to this poverty-producing policy and call for the Government to act soon – improving children’s outcomes simply cannot wait.

Find out more about how you can get involved with our child poverty campaign. 

To find out more about our policy and advocacy work and ways you can get involved, visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/about/policy-and-advocacy/