1st Sep 2021 - 08:24
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Abstract
A new report from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has found that as many as one million children (36% of school-aged children living in poverty) are not entitled to receive a free school meal due to restrictive eligibility criteria.
The report brings together findings from CPAG analysis and the Covid Realities research programme to highlight problems with existing FSM provision.
Covid Realities participants highlighted key problem areas including restrictive eligibility criteria, increased financial pressures during the holidays and barriers to FSM uptake.
The Child Poverty Action Group recommends the following solutions:
- Work towards the long-term goal of universal provision of FSM for all children across the UK, which would cost £1.8Bn.
- In the short term, increase eligibility to every family on universal credit (or equivalent benefits), which would only cost £700m. Eligibility should also be extended to all families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
- Following the Scottish Government’s lead, extend free school meals to all primary school children across the UK at a cost of £770m.
- Support family finances throughout the year by addressing the inadequacy of the social security system. As a first step, the planned £20 cut to universal credit must be abandoned.
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