Troubling rise in kids on free school dinners

SOME areas of the UK are facing a staggering rise in children on free school meals, figures reveal.

Eligibility has increased by 80% in just six years in Cumbria.

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, civic chiefs and campaigners say figures reflect the “stark reality” of growing poverty and hardship.

The Government says a change in rules for those eligible and the pandemic have contributed to the rise in free meal uptake.

But Mr Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said the rise in eligibility was alarming and a “clear sign the cost of living crisis is very real”.

He added: “Families are being plunged into real hardship, with many being forced to make choices between heating and eating.

“We desperately need the Government to go further and faster in supporting people through these deeply difficult times.”

Figures show 22.5% of pupils now qualify for the meals, up from 20.8% from last January – an increase of 160,000 to 1.9 million.

Another 800,000 poor youngsters do not qualify, the Child Poverty Action Group said.

National Association of Head Teachers president Paul Gosling said 45% of pupils at his school in Exmouth, Devon, now had free school meals.

He added: “The local foodbank has given me ‘emergency rations’ to pass on to families.

“We have also noticed a rise in children coming to school tired as they have no heating on at home and find it difficult to sleep on cold nights.”

A Government spokeswoman said: “We know millions of families are struggling with the rising cost of living, which is why we are providing over £37billion to target those with the greatest need.” London and the West Midlands have shown the highest increases in children on free school meals.

But the North East (29.1%) and West Midlands (26.5%) still have the highest eligibility rates.

We need the Government to go further and faster in supporting people

TIM FARRON (ABOVE) ON THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS